1The earliest lists of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were made more than 2,000 years ago by ancient Hellenic tourists.
2Except for the Great Pyramid of Giza those wonders no longer exist.
3They were destroyed by earthquakes, fires and in one case by an angry mob.
4Many other lists of amazing structures have been made since then.
5Here's a look at our list of the greatest man-made wonders of the world.
6...
7Number 30 - Lalibela Churches.
8Built by King Lalibela to be the 'New Jerusalem',
9the city of Lalibela in the Ethiopian highlands is home to eleven incredible monolithic churches.
10These were hewn from the top down into living rock between the 7th and 13th centuries,
11with an intricate series of tunnels and passages connecting them.
12Of these, the Church of St. George is undoubtedly the most impressive
13as it is so finely carved out of the mountainside.
14Set in the shape of a Greek cross, the church reaches a height of 40 feet,
15with amazing artworks found within its atmospheric interior.
16...
17Number 29 - Leaning Tower of Pisa.
18The world-famous leaning tower is known around the globe for its incredible four-degree tilt
19that makes it seem as if the tower is about to topple over.
20The amazing slanted belltower sits behind the Pisa Cathedral and was built in the Romanesque style.
21Dating back to the 12th century, the tower took a whopping 199 years to complete,
22but began to slant during the construction due to soft ground on one side.
23Today, the tower - which stands at a wonky 55.86 meters tall -
24attracts tourists from far and wide.
25...
26Number 28 - Himeji Castle.
27Himeji Castle is considered the best existing example of Japanese castle architecture.
28It was fortified to defend against enemies during the feudal period,
29but it has been rebuilt many times throughout the centuries
30and reflects the different design periods.
31It survived the bombings of World War II
32and is frequently seen in domestic and foreign films,
33including the James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice".
34The white exterior and design give the castle the appearance of a bird taking flight,
35earning the castle the nickname 'white egret castle'.
36...
37Number 27 - Meenakshi Amman Temple.
38Meenakshi Amman Temple is an impressive Hindu temple that dates back to the sixth century,
39though most of the present structure was built a thousand years later.
40It is the most important temple in Madurai, itself a 2,500-year-old city in South India.
41Intricate carvings about inside and out;
42the temple has a total of 14 towers, each dedicated to a god or person.
43Though the statues on the towers were once plain,
44paint has been added to them over the years during festivals,
45which has created the riot of color that can be seen today.
46...
47Number 26 - Sydney Opera House.
48Regarded as a 20th century architectural masterpiece,
49the Sydney Opera House was designed and built by architect, Jorn Utzon,
50to reflect the image of a huge sailing ship.
51It houses multiple venues that together host more than 1,500 performances each year.
52Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Gardens,
53the famous Opera House in Sydney is one of Australia's most famous landmarks.
54...
55Number 25 - Leshan Great Buddha.
56The Giant Buddha of Leshan is a gigantic Buddha statue carved out of a cliff face in western China.
57Begun in the year 1713 during the Tang Dynasty,
58the statue was not completed until the year 803,
59and was the effort of thousands of sculptors and workers.
60As the biggest carved stone Buddha in the world,
61the Leshan Giant Buddha is featured in poetry, song and story.
62The sculpture stands about 233 feet high
63and has 11 feet long fingers on each of its enormous resting hands.
64...
65Number 24 - Golden Gate Bridge.
66The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate,
67the strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north.
68The bridge took four years to build, and was completed in 1937.
69The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed,
70and has become an internationally recognized symbol of California.
71The famous red-orange color of the bridge
72was specifically chosen to make the bridge more easily visible through the thick fog that frequently shrouds the bridge.
73...
74Number 23 - St. Basils Cathedral.
75Arguably the most iconic sight in Russia,
76this twisting Cathedral with its multi-colored onion domes
77is set in Moscow's equally iconic Red Square.
78St Basil's Cathedral was built by Ivan the Terrible in 1558.
79The structure is a madly bright lollypop of strange styles
80that seem more like a funfair and look unlike anything else in Russia.
81Because of its unique architectural style and its historic links to a victorious battle in Tatarstan,
82the cathedral is a symbol of Russia.
83...
84Number 22 - Alhambra.
85Built on the ruins of Roman fortifications in 889,
86Alhambra is a combination palace and fortress situated in Granada, Spain.
87For almost 1,000 years, much of the Iberian peninsula was ruled by the Islamic Moors,
88with Andalusia being their longest-held territory.
89Today, you can explore its citadel, the oldest part of the fortress,
90climb up its watchtower, explore the amazing Moorish gardens and courtyards,
91and be amazed at the delicate geometric patterns throughout the complex.
92The setting of the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada makes Alhambra that much more mystical.
93...
94Number 21 - Moai Statues.
95With the tallest weighing in over 80 tonnes,
96the Moai Statues on Easter Island in Polynesia are iconic.
97In fact, you'll probably recognize them from a picture even if you hadn't heard of them.
98These 800-plus statues, most of which face away from the sea,
99were carved from volcanic ash by the Rapa Nui people somewhere between 400 and 1500 AD.
100Likely created using rudimentary basalt stone picks,
101each of these enormous monolithic statues would have taken close to a year to complete.
102There are many theories as to why they were built,
103including as a way to honor important clan ancestors
104and because of a belief it would improve the soil.
105...
106Number 20 - Eiffel Tower.
107Named after Gustave Eiffel,
108the unmistakable symbol of Paris is a sight that must be witnessed when visiting the French capital.
109Constructed between 1887 and 1889,
110the tower was originally built to be the impressive entrance to the World's Fair.
111The tower stands at 324 meters tall and was amazingly the world's tallest man-made structure
112until the Empire State Building took the title in 1930.
113Take the lift all the way to the observation deck of the tower
114and marvel at the views of the Parisian boulevard and pattern of parks below.
115...
116Number 19 - Abu Simbel.
117Counted amongst the most majestic monuments in Egypt,
118Abu Simbel consist of two massive rock temples on the western bank of Lake Nasser.
119The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside
120during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses The Great in the 13th century BC,
121as a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari.
122The complex was relocated in its entirety in the 1960s
123to avoid their being submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser,
124the massive artificial water reservoir formed after the building of the Aswan Dam on the Nile River.
125...
126Number 18 - Ifugao Rice Terraces.
127Photographers will want to have lots of memory cards with them
128when they visit the picturesque Ifugao Rice Terraces on the island of Luzon.
129For 2,000 years, people have been growing rice on terraces that follow the contours of the Cordilleras Mountains.
130The most famous ones can be found around the town of Banaue.
131They were created by the Ifugao ethnic people without modern tools and are still used today.
132...
133Number 17 - Neuschwanstein Castle.
134One of the architectural projects of "Mad" King Ludwig II of Bavaria,
135Neuschwanstein Castle is the quintessential fairytale castle.
136In fact, it was the castle's soaring spires and romanesque revival style
137that inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.
138Construction of the castle began in 1869,
139but sadly, Ludwig never got to live in his castle;
140he died in 1886, the same year of the castle's completion.
141Set in South Bavaria among forested mountains and mirror-like lakes,
142the picturesque setting of the castle is as impressive as the building itself.
143...
144Number 16 - Burj Khalifa.
145The Burj Khalifa is a stunning feat of architecture and engineering,
146with two observation decks and a restaurant-bar on the 122nd floor.
147The world's tallest building pierces the sky at 2715 feet
148and opened in January 2010, six years after excavations began.
149Up to 13,000 workers toiled day and night,
150putting up a new floor in as little as three days.
151Taking in the views from the world's tallest building is a deservedly crave-worthy experience
152and a trip to the "At the Top" observation deck on the 124th floor is the most popular way to do it.
153...
154Number 15 - St Peter's Basilica.
155The center of the Catholic world, the Basilica of St. Peter is a huge church.
156With an interior height of 400 feet
157the space shuttle, together with its booster rockets, could fit inside, as could the Statue of Liberty.
158The basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter the apostle was crucified and buried.
159Construction on the current building began in 1506 and was completed in 1615.
160Many famous artists worked on the complex and its surroundings:
161Michelangelo designed the dome while Bernini designed the great St. Peter's Square.
162...
163Number 14 - Borobudur.
164Crafted out of an impressive two million blocks of volcanic stone,
165Borobudur in Indonesia is the largest Buddhist temple in the world.
166Dating back to the 9th-century,
167it eventually fell into ruin until it was discovered again in the 1800s.
168Since then, it has been restored to its former glory and is particularly popular at sunrise.
169The Borobudur monument consists of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms.
170A pathway of enlightenment leads from the base of the pyramid up through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology,
171the world of forms, and the world of formlessness.
172It's decorated with over 2,000 reliefs and 500 Buddha statues,
173each one outlining a Buddhist teaching.
174...
175Number 13 - Temples of Baalbek.
176Once known as the City of the Sun,
177Baalbek's sprawling complex is home to some of the most impressive Roman ruins around.
178Of these, the two largest and grandest are the Temple of Bacchus and the Temple of Jupiter.
179Created to be the largest temple in the Roman empire,
180the temple of Jupiter was lined by 54 massive granite columns
181each of which were 21 meters tall.
182Only 6 of these titanic columns remain standing
183but even they are incredibly impressive.
184The best preserved temple at the site is the Temple of Bacchus built in 150 AD.
185Although the site was pilfered over the centuries for building materials,
186Baalbek is still a significant historical site
187and is one of Lebanon's most popular tourist attractions.
188...
189Number 12 - Acropolis.
190The Acropolis in Athens is a simply stunning sight.
191This monumental hill is the location of a number of ancient sites
192that date back to the 5th century BC.
193Some of the attractions that crown the Acropolis include the Temple of Athena Nike,
194the Erechtheum, and, of course, the Parthenon.
195Constructed at the peak of the Athenian Empire in 1447 BC,
196the Parthenon is a symbol of Greece and impresses with its innumerable columns.
197After nightfall, the Acropolis is lit up with a glow that can be seen around Athens.
198...
199Number 11 - Chichen Itza.
200One of the most famous archaeological sites on Earth,
201Chichen Itza was once a thriving city on the Yucatan Peninsula.
202Built by the Mayans in 600 AD,
203it was abandoned in 1221 when Mayapan became the region's new capital.
204Highlights include the Temple of Kukulkan,
205a giant stone pyramid with four stairways representing a compass
206and 365 steps for each day of the year.
207It is best to visit it during the spring or fall equinox
208when the sun creates a light show on the stairs of the pyramid.
209Other must-see sites include the Ball Court, the Wall of Skulls,
210and the Sacred Cenote that was once a site of human sacrifice.
211...
212Number 10 - Great Wall of China.
213Spreading through 15 Chinese provinces and autonomous regions,
214the Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure in the world.
215It is made up of a series of separate sections of walls and moats
216that were built over the course of six Chinese dynasties as a defense from invaders.
217Now well over 2,000 years old, some parts of the wall have fallen into ruin.
218Interestingly, for those who wanted to attempt it,
219walking the entire length of the Great Wall of China would take approximately 18 months.
220...
221Number 9 - Christ the Redeemer.
222Perched atop the 2,330 feet high peak of Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro,
223the statue of "Cristo Redentor" stands with arms outstretched,
224gazing serenely out over the city.
225Construction of the statue began in 1922
226during the heyday of the Art Deco movement,
227and the concrete and soapstone statue is considered the largest statue designed in the genre in the world.
228Most visitors take a vertical cog train to reach the base of the summit.
229From there, visitors to the monument once had to climb hundreds of steps to reach the top.
230Today, elevators and escalators are available to shorten the trip.
231...
232Number 8 - Machu Picchu.
233Machu Picchu is a magnificent representation of the Inca civilization before the Spanish came.
234Nestled in the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu served as a palace for the emperor,
235a fortress and as a site for religious ceremonies where human sacrifices were made to appease the gods.
236Untouched by the Spanish, the site was abandoned after the conquest,
237only to be "discovered" by an American professor in the early 1900s.
238Built from polished stones, the city is a fascinating example of classical Inca architecture.
239With its spectacular views, Machu Picchu is Peru's most visited tourist attraction.
240...
241Number 7 - Hagia Sophia.
242For almost 1,000 years, Hagia Sophia was the biggest cathedral in the world
243and is still a fantastic structure to set eyes on.
244Originally built as an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in 537
245when Istanbul was named Constantinople,
246Hagia Sophia became an Ottoman mosque from 1453
247and is today a museum for all faiths to enjoy.
248The dome of the Hagia Sophia is a marvel in itself,
249and the building as a whole perfectly reflective of Byzantine architecture.
250Walking around the building today, you can piece together the history of the city
251with its intriguing murals and interesting artifacts.
252...
253Number 6 - Statue of Liberty.
254The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States, stands upon Liberty Island
255and is one of the most famous symbols in the world.
256The construction of the statue was completed in France in July 1884
257and arrived in New York the following year.
258From 1886 until the jet age,
259it was often one of the first glimpses of the United States for millions of immigrants.
260Lady Liberty on her pedestal stands at an impressive 305 feet,
261which visitors can climb for views of Brooklyn and Gustave Eiffel's supporting framework.
262...
263Number 5 - Colosseum.
264One of the most famous buildings ever constructed, the Colosseum almost needs no introduction.
265Lying in the heart of Rome,
266the enormous oval amphitheatre is one of the Roman empire's greatest architectural triumphs
267and remains standing almost 2000 years after it was completed.
268While three stories of huge arcades make up its outer wall,
269its interior boasts fantastic views of the endless seating areas
270and subterranean network of tunnels and rooms, which used to lie beneath the arena's floor.
271Over the centuries, countless gladiatorial contests, animal hunts,
272and even mock sea battles took place in the amphitheatre,
273which could hold up to 80,000 spectators.
274One of the most iconic symbols of Imperial Rome,
275the Colosseum is a must-see sight due to its awe-inspiring architecture,
276spectacular size, and historical importance.
277...
278Number 4 - Petra.
279The Rose City of Petra is an ancient desert town
280that was carved out of pink sandstone cliffs by nomads thousands of years ago.
281Located in Jordan, tucked between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea,
282it's hard to believe the city was once filled with green gardens, palatial houses, and bustling markets.
283Instead, a walk or camel ride through the ruins of Petra will reveal abandoned caves, temples, and tombs
284hidden within the city walls.
285The two-story Treasury carved into the rock face is one of the most beautiful landmarks in the old city.
286It's worth viewing for the facade alone
287but the interior with its Indiana-Jonesy royal tomb is worth a look.
288...
289Number 3 - Angkor Wat.
290Angkor Wat is the most magnificent and largest of all the Angkor temples in Cambodia.
291Built around the first half of the 12th century,
292the temple's balance, composition and beauty make it one of the finest monuments in the world.
293A huge rectangular reservoir surrounds Angkor Wat
294which rises up through a series of three rectangular terraces to the central shrine
295and tower at a height of 669 feet.
296This arrangement reflects the traditional Khmer idea of the temple mountain,
297in which the temple represent Mount Meru, the home of the gods in Hinduism.
298...
299Number 2 - Taj Mahal.
300Located in Northern India, the Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum of white marble,
301built by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife.
302The Taj is one of the most well preserved tombs in the world
303and one of the masterpieces of Mughal architecture.
304Called "a teardrop on the cheek of eternity",
305the monument is actually an integrated complex of structures.
306Besides the white domed marble mausoleum
307it includes several other beautiful buildings, reflecting pools,
308and extensive ornamental gardens with flowering trees and bushes.
309...
310Number 1 - Pyramids of Giza.
311Arguably the world's most famous landmark,
312the Pyramids of Giza lie on the outskirts of Cairo,
313looking out over the endless sands of the Sahara.
314The pyramids in Giza were built over the span of three generations during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom.
315The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest and sole remnant of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
316The pyramid is an awe-inspiring 455 feet high making it the largest pyramid in Egypt,
317although nearby Khafre's Pyramid appears to be larger as it is build at a higher elevation.
318...