New 7 wonders of the World

This is a classic, a reminder, but it is still beautiful. The new seven wonders of the world have been designated to a vote organized by the New Seven Wonders Foundation , and the results were announced July 7, 2007 in Lisbon. 

So as you say at the outset, this is a true list of choices offered to the jury of architects from all backgrounds, and chaired by Federico Mayor , former president of the UNESCO . Among this list were 21 sites or buildings located in 21 countries on all continents .

ON WHAT CRITERIA?

Yes, because you have to make choices, however difficult they may be. The judging criteria included aesthetics, but also the architectural feat, or historical relevance. Harsh, because many countries offered fifty choice temples and palaces spread their territory. In the end, the new seven wonders of the world chosen are obviously those who received the most votes, and are supposed to represent a wide range of cultures and eras.

Thus, we find wonders dating back to antiquity, others the 20th century. All these monuments have a sacred function or purely aesthetic. Anyway we love you, so I suggest you (re) discover these little wonders ... for fun: 

1. THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF CHICHEN ITZA, MEXICO.

Called "City of Stone", this site is an ancient Maya city of Mexico , abandoned several times, but rich in cultural footprint of the various peoples who lived. This city was probably the main religious center of the Yucatán, and remains today one of the most important archaeological sites and the most visited in the world.

This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centers of the Yucatan Peninsula. Throughout its history (which extends over nearly a thousand years), the city was embellished by the contribution of its different peoples. Mayan and Toltec, all left on the stone monuments and artistic works I'empreinte their own vision of the world and the universe. The fusion of Mayan construction techniques with new elements from central Mexico make Chichen Itza one of the most important symbols of the Mayan civilization.

Several buildings have survived again, including the Temple of the Warriors, El Castillo and known as El Caracol observatory circular, although most of the site fell into disrepair over the centuries by various invasions, looting or dropouts.

2. STATUE OF CHRIS REDEEMER IN RIO DE JANEIRO.

Located in Rio , this marvel was built in 1931 to mark the centenary of the independence of Brazil. A gift from France to the city of Rio de Janeiro , the statue of 38 meters is at the top of Corcovado mountain. It is one of the most majestic works of the genre.

Historical monument since 1973, the Christ of Corcovado is set in the heart of the National Park of Tijuca Forest , at an altitude of 710 meters. To give you an idea, its mass is about 1145 tons, the approximate mass of the head is 30 tonnes and 8 tonnes each hand. Head measuring 3.75 m, 3.20 m each hand, the width of the tunic is 8.50 m. The scale between the two hands is 28 meters. Yes, it's a beautiful baby!

These dimensions make it one of the largest statues of its kind in the world. Only Christ de la Concorde in Cochabamba, Bolivia , with 40.44 meters high (including 34.20 and 6.24 for the character pedestal) The statue of Christ the King has Swiebodzin (52.5 m) and Christ of Vung Tau , measuring 32 m, are greater.

There are a few weeks lightning struck a finger of the hand of Christ the Redeemer . A team of unusual intervention intervened to begin the restoration of the statue. Equipped with ropes and harnesses, stunt move the statue into the void ... and it's very impressive! 

3. COLOSSEUM OF ROME

The Colosseum is an amphitheater in the center of the city of Rome. It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. Its construction began in AD 70. AD and was completed in 80 AD. AD and other changes have been made between 1981 and 1996.

Able to accommodate between 50,000 and 75,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. It remained in use for nearly 500 years, the latest games extending to the sixth century. Today the state of ruin, it is visited every year by thousands of tourists.

4. THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA. 

The Great Wall is a wall of defense erected to protect China from invading barbarians. It is the largest architectural structure built by man in terms of length, area and mass combined. Since 1987, it is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Built of earth, stone or brick, it travels about 6,700 kilometers from the border of Korea to the Gobi Desert.Its width varies between 5 and 7 meters and an average height between 5 and 17 meters.

Passes were generally located near major cities to allow the passage of people through double carved huge wooden beams doors. Monitoring of those passes were provided by towers three or four stories.

Two symbolic monuments still stand proudly at each end of the wall - the First Door under Heaven at Shanhaiguan at the eastern end of the wall, and the Last Door under Heaven at Jiayuguan which encompassed in a fully restored after 1949 fortress marks its northwest end.

5. THE INCA MACHU PICCHU  SITE

Machu Picchu is an ancient city of the fifteenth century, perched on a rocky promontory that unites Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu Mountain, on the eastern slope of the Central Andes. Forgotten for centuries and was discovered by the American Hiram Bingham in 1911, this holy city is considered a masterpiece of Inca architecture. Mysterious, majestic, it is also known as a "Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu."

An estimated 1,200 people were living in Machu Picchu, where there were 200 different constructions.According to archaeologists, the site is divided into two main sectors: the agricultural zone formed by a set of cultivated terraces located to the south; and the urban area is that, presumably, in which the occupants lived and where took place the main civil and religious activities.

Perched at 2400 meters above sea level, Machu Picchu surprises us with its mysteries. Built in the Sacred Valley between the Andes and the Amazon rainforest, it is declared Cultural Patrimony of Humanity, offering its visitors an unforgettable enchantment.

6. THE CAVE SITE OF PETRA, JORDAN. 

Petra is an ancient city carved into the rock, located in Jordan, in the heart of a valley. Founded in the late 8th century BC, it was abandoned between 700 and 800 years after Christ because of the change in trade routes and earthquakes. In 1985, Petra is listed World Heritage and National Archaeological Park.

Petra is a double miracle, natural and architectural.

Natural first, with its parades, as Siq , and sandstone cliffs with colorful drawings. Petra takes its name from the Greek "  stone  ", but his first name was" Reqmu "which means multicolored. Two names that correspond to the particularity of this site, where sandstone jagged rocks shaped by wind and sand, give the site its extraordinary color palette that ranges from yellow to purple through orange, red, green and blue.

Then architecture, with its Roman ruins, but especially with its imposing tombs, dug and carved into the rock of the mountains by the Nabataeans. Petra installed in the fifth century BC and for six centuries, this native of Saudi people will cut into the rocks over 700 monuments, an area that extends for several kilometers .

For the record, this magical place has inspired literature, which Hergé , in The Adventures of Tintin ( Coke en Stock ), and movies with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade , of Spielberg .

7. TAJ MAHAL, INDIA 

This means Indian "Crown Palace", is in fact not a palace. There is actually a tomb, a white marble mausoleum built at the request of the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Arjumand Banu Begam , also known under the name of Mumtaz Mahal . Its construction began in 1631, the year of death of the wife of the Emperor.

Located at Agra in northern India , in the state of Uttar Pradesh, on the south bank of Yamuna river. Taj Mahal is located about 200 km south of New Delhi, the capital. In 1996, the monument was listed as one of the world's most endangered site by the World Monuments Fund , because of damage to the surrounding pollution, but protective measures are such that today it is out of danger.

Each year, more than three million curious who come to visit. To limit the damage caused by environmental pollution foundries, glass or other steady stream of vehicles, access to the site is prohibited by car. Since 1995, only authorized pedestrians and pedicabs within a radius of 10,000 m2 around the city of Agra. To enter the Taj Mahal, closed on Monday after passing a monumental gateway of red sandstone and white marble, it will cost 950 Rupees (about 17 euros). Period recommended to enjoy the area is from October to March.

Some (s) of you have already had the opportunity to visit these sites, do not hesitate to share your experiences and feelings, whether positive or negative.