New 7 Wonders of the World

New 7 Wonders of the World – the decision is yours

“Our heritage is our future”. With this premise, the “New Seven Wonders Club” has created the first-ever global poll to elect the New Seven Wonders of the World. After 19 millions of online votes, last January the 21 finalist were announced.

Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt

These are, in alphabetical order, the 21 candidates to become the “New 7 wonders” of our World. I’ve also add a little, personal commentary about its possible inclusion in such a sumptuous list.

-Acropolis (Athens, Greece) – OK, this is a “must”. The quintessence of the Classic World.

– Alhambra Palace (Granada , Spain) – Well, perhaps. It’s as “wonderful” as you can expect, the Moorish magic at its very best and also very well preserved, but perhaps lacks of a bit “magnificence”. Doubtful.

-Angkor (Cambodia) – Yes, why not? Although it’s not as famous in the Western World as some other sites of this list, this exceptional building/city is magnificence and extremely important.

-Chitchen Itza, Mexico) – Probably. Mayan capital between 750 – 1200 a .c., one of the most important heritage sites of the World.

-Christ Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) – Absolutely NOT. Though impressive in size, this is surely not one of the new seven wonders.

-Colosseum (Rome, Italy) – Probably. A Roman monument must be on this list, but. why this and not the Pantheon? Nevertheless, it’s impressive and important enough to be taken into account.

-Easter Island Statues (Chile) – Well, I’ve never seen them, so I can’t opine.

– Eiffel Tower (Paris, France) – NO. It’s an extremely important building, but not a “wonder”. Sorry, because Paris is perhaps my favourite city.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

-Great Wall of China (China) – YES. Absolutely. Arguably the most impressive human work ever made.

Great Wall, China

-Hagia Sophia (Istanbul , Turkey ) – Mmmm. When I travelled to Istanbul I immediately fell in love with it, but I admit that it cannot be compared, at least in terms of magnificence, with such impressive buildings as the Great Wall or Machu Picchu . It’s an extremely important and impressive building, of course, Byzantium at its best, but, well, choose by yourself. Probably.

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

– Kyozimu Temple , Kyoto (Japan) – I don’t know. I haven’t seen it, so you tell me.

-Kremlin and Red Square (Moscow , Russia) – NO. Just a historical building, not a wonder.

– Machu Picchu (Peru) – Yes. Arguably the most fabulous pre-Columbian site, and surely a “must” for the list.

Machu Picchu , Peru

– Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany). NO. Extremely beautiful, but no more.

– Petra (Jordan). Well, perhaps. Perhaps not. Err… what do you think about it?

-Pyramids of Giza (Egypt) YES. OF COURSE. ABSOLUTELY

-Statue of Liberty (New York). Absolutely NOT. See what we say about the Eiffel Tower .

-Stonehenge (England) Probably. Mysterious, historical importance. Perhaps lacks a bit of “greatness” but I bet for its inclusion. Primitive magic.

Stonehenge, England

-Sydney Opera House (Australia) Absolutely NOT. A great modern building. Just it.

-Taj Mahal (Agra , India) I have my doubts. It’s extremely beautiful and even historical important, but perhaps lacks a bit of historical greatness. Well, can be.

– Timbuktu (Mali ) A doubtful NO. Surely deserves to be in the 21 list, but I have my doubts about its inclusion in the “7 list”. OK, choose by yourself.

ABOUT THE “OLD” SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

The seven wonders of the Ancient World, as compiled by Philo of Byzantium in 200 b.c are:

-The Great Pyramid of Giza ( Egypt ) is the only one “old wonder” that still exist. It was completed around 2650 b.c.

-The Lighthouse of Alexandria ( Egypt ) was built on the 3 rd century b.c. It was destroyed by an earthquake in the 13 th century.

-The Temple of Diana at Ephesus (Ancient Greece) built on the 4 th century b.c. was destroyed by the Goths in 262 a .c.

-The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (Asia Minor) was also destroyed, although remains of its structure are shown on the British Museum

-The Hanging gardens of Babylon were built by King Nebuchadnezzar to please his wife, around 650-600 b.c.

-The Colossus at Rhodes was a giant, 105 feet tall statue built by the sculptor Chares, and destroyed by an earthquake in the 3 rd century b.c.

-The Statue of Zeus at Olympia , built by the famous sculptor Phidias has also been lost.