The Seven Wonders of the World are a collection of landmarks across the globe that hold remarkable significance. They include: The Colosseum in Italy, Petra in Jordan, Chichén Itzá in Mexico, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Taj Mahal in India, and the Great Wall of China.

The Great Wall of China holds the title of the world’s longest wall. This iconic symbol of China was constructed by different dynasties over nearly 1,800 years, beginning around 220 BC. It was originally built as a defense against invasions, with watchtowers placed on high points for better visibility. Rather than one continuous wall, the structure is actually a series of overlapping sections stretching a total of about 20,000 kilometers. Today, millions of tourists travel to see this world-famous Wonder each year.

This breathtaking monument required 16 years of construction and the efforts of 20,000 laborers. It was ordered in 1632 by Emperor Shah Jahan to serve as the resting place for his beloved wife, Mumtaz. Architecturally, the structure is a symbol of harmony and proportion, with its marble exterior shifting in color throughout the day. At sunrise, the stone appears tinged with pink; by evening, it resembles pure white milk; and under moonlight, it glows a golden hue. Since the Taj Mahal stands as a tribute to Shah Jahan’s devotion to Mumtaz, many couples choose to capture their photographs with this iconic masterpiece as the backdrop.

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Petra is an ancient city hewn from stone. It is believed to have been established more than 2,000 years ago by the Nabateans, a people who inhabited the Wadi Musa valley. Despite their achievements, little is known about the Nabateans. The city was annexed by the Roman Empire in AD 106, and a major earthquake in AD 363 caused significant destruction, leading to its eventual abandonment. The ruins of Petra were later brought to global attention in 1812 by Johann Burckhardt, a Swiss explorer.

The Colosseum, also called the Flavian Amphitheatre, was constructed between AD 70 and AD 80. For around four hundred years, it hosted gladiatorial contests, wild animal hunts, and public executions. On occasion, the arena floor was even flooded to reenact naval battles. After the Roman Empire collapsed, the structure was repurposed as a residential complex. In 1349, a massive earthquake caused significant destruction to parts of the amphitheatre. Despite centuries of damage, it still stands today as one of the most visited tourist sites in the world.

Christ the Redeemer stands atop Corcovado Mountain, gazing over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The monument depicts Jesus Christ with outstretched arms embracing the city. The statue itself measures 30 meters in height, while the distance from fingertip to fingertip spans 28 meters.

This landmark is the most recent of the world’s wonders, having been finished in 1931. During that period, Brazil was largely Catholic, and pictures of the statue of Christ were widely circulated.

Chichén Itzá was a city established by the Maya civilization more than 1,500 years ago. It served as a major hub of politics and trade for the Maya people. At the site stands the Temple of Kukulkán, also known as El Castillo, dedicated to the feathered serpent god. Each of its four sides has 91 steps, and with the additional step at the summit, the pyramid has 365 steps in total—representing every day of the year. At the very top, there is a carving of the deity Kukulkán.

Machu Picchu is the remains of an Incan city that dates back to the 15th century. Located high in the Andes Mountains, it sits more than 2,000 meters above sea level. Its stone walls and other structures were carved directly into the surrounding rock.

The exact reason for its construction is still unclear, though many historians believe it may have served as a royal estate for the emperor Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. The site was inhabited during the 15th and 16th centuries before being slowly abandoned. In modern times, it has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, to the point where the Peruvian government has introduced limits on the number of visitors each year to help protect it.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, erected around 2600 BC by the ancient Egyptians, took two decades to finish. It is the biggest of the three pyramids at Giza and served as a burial site for Pharaoh Khufu. Its flawless symmetry and remarkable height of 146.5 meters made it an awe-inspiring monument, attracting visitors even in ancient times. Interestingly, it held the title of the tallest man-made structure on Earth for nearly 4,000 years!

King Nebuchadnezzar II is said to have created the Hanging Gardens of Babylon as a present for his wife, who longed for the mountains and floral landscapes of her homeland. They are thought to have been built around 600 BC in the ancient city of Babylon, located in present-day Iraq.

Since Babylon was largely desert, establishing a verdant oasis filled with trees, shrubs, and climbing plants was an impressive feat! The gardens were reportedly destroyed by an earthquake during the first century AD.

However, some historians suggest that these legendary gardens might have been entirely fictional, as no archaeological remains have ever been found.

The Statue of Zeus soared to an impressive height of 12 meters! It was created around 432 BC by the Greek artist Phidias to pay tribute to the king of the Greek gods. The statue stood inside the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, the location of the first Olympic Games. Zeus was depicted sitting on an ornate throne, with skin of ivory and garments of gold. The statue was meant to inspire reverence among worshippers and is thought to have been pagan, which likely led to its removal after Christianity became dominant.

The Temple of Artemis, located in the Greek settlement of Ephesus—present-day Turkey—was constructed in 550 BC to pay tribute to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. This impressive structure took more than 120 years to complete, yet it was destroyed in a single night! In 356 BC, a man named Herostratus set it on fire, seeking fame by demolishing such a remarkable masterpiece.

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was constructed between 353 and 350 BC near what is now Bodrum, Turkey, as a burial site for Mausolus, the Persian governor of the region. The project was commissioned by his wife, Artemisia II, who was so grief-stricken by his passing that she wanted him to have a tomb fit for royalty.

Rising to a height of 41 meters, the structure showcased a blend of Greek, Lycian, and Egyptian architectural styles. Lavish decorations were added throughout, including exquisite marble statues, temples, sculptures, and friezes.

After the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Mausoleum was the second longest-standing of the ancient wonders. It was ultimately ruined by a series of earthquakes between the 12th and 15th centuries AD.

Standing 33 metres tall, the Colossus was the tallest statue of the ancient world—roughly the same size as today’s Statue of Liberty. It was crafted by the Greek artist Chares of Lindos between 292 and 280 BC.

The statue was erected to honor Helios, the Greek god of the sun, celebrating the island’s successful defense after a year-long siege. According to legend, the people of Rhodes contributed by melting down unused bronze and iron weapons to create it.

Sadly, the impressive monument was toppled by an earthquake in 226 BC and lay in ruins on the ground for several centuries.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria, believed to stand between 115 and 145 meters in height, served to guide vessels safely through the shallow and rocky waters of Alexandria’s port. It was built in 280 BC on Pharos Island in Egypt.

During the day, it used a mirror to direct sunlight, and at night, a fire provided illumination. Reports suggest its light could be seen from over 30 miles away!

Sadly, like most of the ancient wonders, the lighthouse suffered damage from several earthquakes and eventually completely fell during the 15th century.

Looking for exciting ways to introduce children to the Seven Wonders of the World? Explore our fantastic teaching resources that cover the topics highlighted in this wiki, designed to make your lessons more engaging and fun for young learners.

It’s never too early to spark your children’s curiosity! If you work with early years, why not incorporate our Inspirational Building Photos into your construction area? Little ones love creating structures with various building materials. Displaying these photos as a visual prompt encourages them to replicate what they see, supporting their development. You can also enhance language skills by chatting about each building and its unique features with your students.

Here’s a glimpse of the types of learning tools you can add to your collection. Take the pressure off planning lessons and download the following resources:

Curious to introduce your children to amazing places around the world? Explore this presentation all about the Seven Wonders of Wales! It includes 13 vividly illustrated slides, each packed with fascinating facts. Young learners will discover a variety of exciting topics, including national parks, wildlife, and the towns and cities of Wales.