Message seven wonders of the world Egyptian pyramids. Seven Wonders of the World: Pyramid of Cheops, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, statue of Zeus at Olympia, Temple of Artemis, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The only one of the “Seven Wonders of the World” that has survived to this day are the Egyptian pyramids. Ancient Egyptian architecture even today it amazes with the power of its huge stone structures. Among the huge columns of ancient temples, rising to the sky and often standing like trees in a forest, you can get lost. At the entrance to these temples, like a formidable guard, there are huge statues of pharaohs and stone sphinxes. Sphinx - in Ancient Egypt- the embodiment of royal power, a statue depicting a fantastic creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human or sacred animal.

About 5 thousand years ago, the first small slave states appeared in the valley along the lower Nile. At the end of the 4th millennium BC. e. the rulers of one of them subjugated the entire country, creating a single kingdom with its center in the city of Memphis, located on the left bank of the Nile, south of where the city of Cairo is now located. Around 2800 BC e. Pharaoh Khufu became the ruler of this state. Subsequently, Greek historians changed his name to Cheops. This is what they call it in our time. Huge wealth and unlimited power were concentrated in the hands of the pharaohs.

Cheops' grandfather and father spent their wealth not only on court luxury and majestic tombs - pyramids, which were supposed to perpetuate the names of formidable rulers. Their slaves built dams, dug canals, and installed sluices to evenly distribute the waters of the Nile to irrigate the fields. Thanks to this, high harvests were harvested from the fields of Egypt, which brought more and more income to the pharaohs.

Cheops thought only about glorifying himself. The flattering and cunning priests told him: “ Earthly life short. The houses we live in are hotels. Man's true home is the tomb, the house of eternity, where he will dwell for millions of years. If you want to be immortal, take care of your tomb." And Cheops decided to reduce government spending as much as possible, and spend most of his income on creating a tomb that would be taller and more majestic than all the previous royal tombs.

There were not enough foreign slaves, and Egyptian farmers began to be involved in the work. Pharaoh ordered to choose the strongest and most resilient for the work. Each farmer had to work for a third of the year on the construction of the pyramid. To the capital Memphis, according to the Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century. BC e., up to 100 thousand people were rounded up. They were fed stale cakes, dried fish, garlic and radishes. Many died, but more and more were brought in to replace them...

The first ten years were spent on preparatory work. They laid out a convenient path to the construction site chosen on the western bank of the Nile (near the suburb modern city Cairo - Giza), dug underground hiding places and laid the foundation. And in quarries, about 600 miles east of the Nile, blocks of limestone were chopped off and transported to the west bank. After this, a giant stone pyramid was built for 20 years. Its construction was completed in the 31st year of the king's reign.

2 million 300 thousand stone blocks weighing 2.5 tons each were smoothly hewn with copper tools (there were no iron tools at that time) and tightly fitted to each other. The height of the pyramid was 280 cubits (about 147 m), i.e., approximately the height of a modern forty-story building. The base side of the pyramid reaches 230 meters. It occupies more area than 9 football fields. The hewn slabs were laid with such perfection that even a needle could not be inserted into the seam between them. The entrance to the pyramid was on the north side. A narrow corridor led through large gallery into the burial chamber (10x5x5 m), in which the royal coffin - sarcophagus - was installed. Unfortunately, it has not survived to this day, but it is believed that it was carved from stone. A side corridor led to the queen's crypt.

Cheops achieved his goal, although the working people grumbled and even the slave-owning nobility were dissatisfied with the excessive costs that were depleting the country.

After the death of the king, the faithful servants did everything that was prescribed by ancient customs. They opened the king's corpse, removed the brain and entrails, kept the body for 70 days in salt water, filled it with fragrant resin and wrapped the finished mummy in burial shrouds. The Egyptians believed that the resurrection of the dead was possible. They believed that the soul of the deceased, as long as his body was preserved, could return to it. At first, only the bodies of kings were turned into mummies, and later of all noble slave owners. Around the Pharaoh's pyramid were the tombs of nobles and officials. The owners of rich estates and luxurious houses wanted to be different from them even after death. ordinary people. The poor were simply wrapped in a mat and buried.

The sarcophagus with the king's mummy was placed on a huge sled, the oxen were harnessed and they were driven to the west, where, according to the teachings of the priests, there was an entrance to the afterlife. The mourners and mourners filled the air with wild cries. The priests slaughtered bulls and geese as sacrifices to the soul of the deceased. The royal mummy was placed inside the pyramid and the entrance to the tomb was walled up.

During one of the uprisings, the details of which are unknown to us, the mummy was thrown out of the crypt and disappeared without a trace.

There is no trace left of the ruler who built himself the greatest pyramid, which in ancient times was considered one of the “seven wonders of the world,” but the grandiose building, created by the Egyptian people with such difficulty and suffering, has stood for the fifth millennium and has changed little over time. Only the cracked outer cladding was broken off and stolen for new buildings, so that the pyramid dropped by 9 m.

In 1953, two Egyptian archaeologists dug out a cache at a depth of 17 m, covered with stone blocks, among the sands not far from the pyramid. Inside was a huge wooden boat of the pharaoh, 35 m long, with two rows of oars. Egyptian priests made this boat so that the royal deceased could sail in it after death along the heavenly waves to the distant kingdom of the dead.

The following year, another Egyptian archaeologist found in the sands new pyramid- Pharaoh Hesemkhet, who lived a hundred years before Cheops. The pyramid, fortunately, was untouched! Not a single robber penetrated it. In the inner chamber there was an alabaster coffin, very well preserved, but, to the scientist’s disappointment, it turned out to be empty. The ancient Egyptians had a custom of building false tombs (cenotaphs). It is believed that the empty coffin was a spare one, in case the soul of the deceased wanted to leave the permanent tomb and move to another.

The ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife. The priests inspired the people that even after death the pharaoh would remain the ruler and crowds of servants would work for him. Egyptian religion taught that the poor and slaves had no hope of a happy life even in the afterlife. Only pharaohs and nobles will be blissful after death as well as during life. In the afterlife, according to the Egyptians, there is the same inequality as on earth: some work, while others enjoy power and wealth.

“Everything is afraid of time, and only time is afraid of the pyramids”

With this introductory story I begin a series of articles about the 7 wonders of the world. I think there is no person who does not know what it is Egyptian pyramids and what was their role in ancient culture humanity. You can find hundreds of versions about the origin of the pyramids, ranging from the slave labor of the ancient Egyptians to extraterrestrial, alien technologies.

I don’t think we will know the truth, and now we will not be talking about assumptions, but about a fact-finding tour. So, Egyptian pyramids from satellite can be seen at this link.

It’s impossible to show all the pyramids of Egypt on the map, so I chose the Pyramid of Cheops (Giza) as an example - that’s what you can see here. If you play with the map, you will find that the construction of the pyramids was mainly carried out along the Nile (the place is better known as the Valley of the Kings). The ancient Egyptians considered this river to be the bearer of life; the god of the Nile was Hapi, and at the same time he was also the patron of the harvest. The thing is that the river is rich in fruitful silt, and after it overflowed its banks, the silt fell into the ground and had a beneficial effect on the harvest.

Secrets of the Egyptian pyramids and their buildings began to excite contemporaries since the 19th century. The first pyramid was built during the reign of Pharaoh Djoser (third dynasty), and is a structure of six steps. It was called the “step pyramid”. It was believed that the pyramid represents the ladder along which the king would ascend to heaven after his death. However, the worldly views of the Egyptians were changed with the arrival of Snefru (the first pharaoh of the fourth dynasty). The cult of the sun became paramount, and the evenness of the edges of the pyramid began to symbolize the rays of the sun. Thus, the idea of ​​​​the “ladder” was replaced, but the essence did not change - after death, the pharaoh ascended to heaven and God.

By the way, friends, if you have started a renovation and need bags for garbage disposal, then you can place your order on the website polybags.ua.

The first attempt to build a straight pyramid was the so-called Bent Pyramid at Dashkhur. At a height of just over 45 meters, its edges change their inclination by 10 degrees. And the first successful pyramid is considered to be the Pink Pyramid (Northern Pyramid), also built in Dashkhur. Its name is associated with the effect of stone blocks - when the sun sets, they turn pink. However the mystery of the pyramids of Egypt, their origin, as I said above, has not been fully studied and most likely will never be studied. There is a version that the ancient Egyptians only used the pyramids for their own selfish purposes, and hundreds of destroyed pyramids are an unsuccessful copying experience. In addition, there is a certain algorithm for ancient structures on the planet - I will also write a post about this.

Pyramids of Giza

Exactly pyramids of giza and are those objects that are included in the list of 7 wonders of the world called the Egyptian pyramids. They are located a few hundred meters from the outskirts of Cairo on a limestone plateau. The city of Giza was founded by the Egyptians in the 7th century, after which the name “Pyramid of Giza” stuck to at the moment is a center of pilgrimage for millions of tourists

Giza has the most great pyramids, and tombs of famous pharaohs such as Cheops, Khafre, Mikerin. In addition, the famous Egyptian Sphinx is also located here - a statue embodying the power of god, man and lion. Photos of the Egyptian pyramids (Giza)

Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu)

The largest Egyptian pyramid in existence is Cheops pyramid, sometimes also called the Great Pyramid. The height of the Pyramid of Cheops (Pyramid of Khufu) initially reached 146 meters, today the height is 138.7 meters, this tallest building ancient world. The size of the base is 230 meters. In ancient times, the pyramid was called “Khufu Belongs to Heaven.” The capabilities of the builders are amazing - pay attention to the evenness of the ribs, the ideal proportions, in addition, the accuracy in the cardinal directions is amazing! Could the ancients have built this? Question.

Interior of the Cheops Pyramid:

And finally, a video about the Egyptian pyramids

Moreover, it is the only one that has survived to this day. A lot of facts have been written about this unique structure, and you can read them all on Wikipedia. We want to outline the general concepts of the pyramid, and interesting facts about her.

First of all, you should know that she is the most large pyramid in Egypt. Previously, its height was about 146 meters, and today it is approximately 138 m. The date of construction dates back to somewhere around 2600 BC, although this is imprecise and is disputed by many scientists.

Pyramid of Cheops - the first wonder of the world

Today, this stunning building surprises with its size and incredible accuracy of engineering calculations. It seems that the ancient Egyptians knew perfectly well the principle of the golden ratio, possessed the secret of the number Pi and other scientific knowledge that was discovered much later.

There is an assumption that these stone giants are space observatories. After all, the shape of the pyramids exactly follows the contours of Orion.

Others believe that these buildings used to serve as powerful energy generators. They were originally covered in limestone, and shone on like supernatural beacons.

Inside the first wonder of the world - the pyramids of Cheops, you will find three chambers: underground, “Queen's Chamber” and “Pharaoh's Chamber”. You can get inside the artificial mountain through a natural entrance, located at an altitude of about 15 meters (somewhere like a 5-story building) or through an artificial one, which was made in 820.

If you have ever been to the Giza Plateau and seen the facts described with your own eyes, then you are unlikely to soon forget unique miracle light - the pyramid of Cheops.

On our website you can find another one interesting article about how the largest Egyptian pyramid was opened. It must be said that many secrets become clear only upon closer examination.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are an example of the exceptional popularity of inventions and structures. This is the best monument in history, dedicated to the creative thought of rulers, the unbridled imagination of architects and the craft of builders. The imagination of people over thousands of years has helped to recreate the missing elements cultural heritage, which received the general title “Seven Wonders of the World”. Legends about the creations of human hands that have disappeared from the face of the earth continue to excite the minds of new adventurers.

Seven Ancient Wonders of the World

It is easier to understand the significance of the list of outstanding monuments for the ancient world if we draw analogies with modern ratings the most popular attractions and phenomena. The list of the Seven Wonders of the World can be considered the first and most famous travel booklet in history. But the meaning of this small list of the greatest monuments is much deeper. Unfortunately, the grandiose structures have not survived. Time, disasters, natural disasters and wars have not spared the seven wonders of the world, or rather, 6 out of 7.

The history of one of the most famous lists of attractions begins in the distant past of world civilization. Perhaps the idea of ​​traveling and visiting monuments in the land of North Africa, Persia, Babylon and Ancient Greece originated with the great Alexander the Great, who conquered in the 4th century BC. e. a significant part of the known world at that time. The grandeur of the plan followed by the Cheops pyramid in Egypt did not escape the attention of the wise commander. Through the common efforts of travelers, conquerors, scientists, writers of antiquity and the Middle Ages, descriptions of the greatest monuments of antiquity were compiled. It is generally accepted that the ancient historian Herodotus worked on one of the first lists of world wonders 450 years before the advent of the new era. Peru outstanding scientist and poet ancient Greece- Philo of Byzantium - belongs to the manuscript “On the Seven Wonders of the World,” which appeared around 300 BC. e.

In Ancient Greece it was considered magical, so the number of attractions on the list remained unchanged for many centuries. The canonical seven wonders of the world are a list that came down to modern times in a poem by the ancient Greek writer Antipater of Sidon. He wrote about the luxury of tombs, beautiful temple complexes, colossal monuments and hanging gardens.

Great Pyramids

By the Middle Ages, when the now-famous classic list of “Seven Wonders of the World” was formed, the Egyptian pyramids built on the western bank of the Nile were preserved on the planet and were accessible for inspection. The most ancient monuments date back to the period from 2700 to 2550 BC. e. Of the ten, three are especially striking in their size and the grandeur of the construction work carried out.

The good preservation of the structures, which have endured several millennia of drying daytime heat and ringing cold of the night, is worthy of admiration, when in the desert, as they say local residents"The stones are crying." Remarkable in engineering design and simple in form, the structures appeared thanks to the most precise measurements, which were unheard of difficult for their time. In addition to complex calculations, the construction required delivering extremely heavy stone blocks from afar and lifting them to great heights.

Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt is considered the most famous wonder of the world. Pharaoh Khufu, who reigned from 2584-2561 BC. e., brought to life a grandiose plan for the construction of his necropolis on the Giza plateau. To create a pyramid and a fence around the structure, 13 hectares of land were allocated. is one of the earliest and most striking examples of a combination of human enthusiasm, imagination and engineering calculations. The construction of a necropolis can also be called the most labor-intensive historical project, given the lack of all the necessary tools and construction equipment in Ancient Egypt.

The Cheops Pyramid is distinguished by its massiveness, abundance of internal halls, galleries, and chambers. In addition to this, for 3,800 years it topped the list of the tallest man-made structures in the world (146.7 m per year of construction). There are many interpretations and explanations related to the shape and purpose of the great pyramid. When the rays of the all-consuming tropical sun glide along the edges of the structure, the thought of the ancient ruler of Egypt, who, like these rays, wanted to go to the divine luminary after his death, becomes clear.

Babylon in Iraq

Beautiful gardens in ancient city-state Babylon was built by a great king around 605 BC. e. Researchers of ancient manuscripts claim that the ancient ruler approved the magnificent landscape project at the request of one of his beloved wives, who yearned for the trees and grasses of her native country. Hanging Gardens Babylon is the most mysterious of the miracles on the list. They are surrounded by myths and legends, the exact location of the structure has not been established, and the remains of the buildings have never been found.

Some scholars of the ancient world doubt the existence of such a luxurious ancient park on a hill located south of modern Baghdad. Maybe the gardens were generated by the imagination of storytellers? Historians find very little accurate information, facts, or documentary evidence in the chronicles of Babylon. But the ancient Greek poets claimed that the priests prepared the project for the hanging gardens and supervised their creation. described multi-level gardens 22 m high, equipped with machines for raising water from the nearby Euphrates River.

The Greek historian Strabo mentioned beautiful quadrangular gardens with arched vaults and stairs to lift people and water to the very top. Slaves planted trees and flowers on brick-fortified slopes covering an area of ​​400 m2, and a wonderful garden was protected by a roof on top. One can understand why contemporaries were fascinated by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. In Iraq, in the arid land of ancient Mesopotamia, it is very difficult to create large areas of well-maintained green spaces. In historical chronicles, the gardens are depicted as beautiful and luxurious. It was not easy to achieve such perfection; this territory has received little rainfall since ancient times. The gardens were destroyed by several earthquakes that occurred two centuries after the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

Built around 430 BC, it did not last long. e. a temple for which the sculptor Phidias created a statue of Zeus. In Olympia, Greece, religious building, dedicated to the supreme god, took 10 years to build using donations from the population. The sanctuary was built from marble and reinforced with a massive colonnade made from local shell rock. The outer surfaces of the walls were decorated with bas-reliefs on which the sculptors recreated the myths about the 12 labors of Hercules - the mythical hero, the son of the supreme deity. The temple could be entered by passing through huge bronze doors.

A significant part of the cult room was occupied by a statue of Zeus. In Olympia, Greece, the ancient Olympic Games were dedicated to this deity. The sculpture was not created simultaneously with the construction of the temple, but over time it became the most grandiose and most magnificent part temple complex. The statue of Zeus by Phidias rested on a wide pedestal, its height together with the base was approximately 15 m. The Supreme God of Olympus sat on a throne, his cape was gilded, and ivory was used for decoration.

Fear for the safety of the statue forced the Greeks to transport it to Constantinople, but a fire destroyed the wonderful creation. Although the monument has not survived, it remains on the list of the Seven Wonders of the World. The statue of Zeus is depicted in paintings; there are models of it that accurately convey the depth of the sculptor’s plan, glorifying the ancient deity. In our time, one can only imagine the true greatness of this monument, the attitude of the Greeks towards God, whom they tirelessly praised in their temples and dwellings.

Wonder of the World at Ephesus

Construction of a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess of the hunt and wildlife, ended by 550 BC. e. The Ephesian miracle is often considered one of the most famous “long-term construction projects”: its construction took approximately 120 years. Contemporaries might not have known that the religious building would be included in the list of “Seven Wonders of the World.” The Temple of Artemis (Diana) at Ephesus was a beautiful marble building. The builders decorated it with slender columns and covered it with a wooden roof on which they laid tiles. In this amazing building, contemporaries were amazed by the harmonious combination of interior decoration with the exterior design of the entire building.

The temple, built of magnificent marble, was a favorite structure among the list of wonders of Antipater of Sidon, the compiler of this famous list. Herostratus, a young Greek, burned the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus (in Turkey). This event took place in the summer of 356 BC. e. The barbaric act was caused by a great desire to become famous throughout the centuries, to achieve fame. Outraged townspeople sentenced Herostratus to death and banned the mention of his name. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus began to be gradually restored under the Turkish rulers, but the ancient shrine was again destroyed, this time by the Goths. The newly restored structure was finally demolished in 401 by an angry crowd of religious fanatics led by the Archbishop of Constantinople.

Colossus of Rhodes

One of the most recognizable ancient wonders is the Colossus of Rhodes in Greece. This grandiose monument owes its appearance to the ancient city-states that existed 2 centuries before the beginning of the new era. The population and rulers of Rhodes decided to perpetuate the memory of the victorious fight against One-Eyed Antigone and celebrate the lifting of the siege. The war machines were melted down into a giant statue of the patron saint of Rhodes, the god Helios, 30 m high.

It is not known exactly when construction began; ancient authors give different dates in the sources. The ancient historian Pliny wrote several centuries later that the Colossus took 12 years to build. Greek sculptors received the task of casting a bronze statue of Helios, the god of the Sun. Giant monument was installed on a cape, reinforced with a system of stone blocks and iron rods.

The list of “Seven Wonders of the World” lost one attraction after a strong Colossus could not resist the power of tremors and was destroyed just 56 years after its triumphant appearance in the Bay of Rhodes. The Delphic Oracle immediately commented on the fall of the statue. An ancient psychic said that the inhabitants of Rhodes angered the god Helios. The ruler of Egypt offered his help in restoring the monument, but he was refused.

Magnificent tomb at Halicarnassus

The giant white tomb was erected for the repose of the governor of one of the provinces of Persia - Mausolus - on the orders of his wife, who lived in Halicarnassus. This is the territory of the modern resort of Bodrum on the coast Aegean Sea. The mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Turkey was erected by Greek sculptors. The structure was tall and ornate inside and out. The tomb was crowned by a pyramid of 36 columns. Mavsol's wife spared no expense on the construction of an above-ground grave; her ashes were also supposed to be in a magnificent mausoleum.

The ancient world appreciated the luxury of the tomb at Halicarnassus. The architectural grandeur of the structure and its aesthetic merits amazed not only Greek scientists and poets, but also the commander Antipater. There is a mention in historical chronicles that it was he who proposed to consider the structure one of the wonders of the world. In the 15th century, the tomb in Halicarnassus collapsed after another earthquake, and the stones were used for buildings in Bodrum. Now, when we talk about colossal funeral expenses, we remember King Mausolus, who became an example of ostentatious wealth and luxury.

Lighthouse on Faros

Alexandria Lighthouse on the island of Pharos was one of the tallest among the ancient structures, and its base reached almost 400 m in length. It was the first lighthouse in history, during the construction of which many innovative technologies known at that time were used. The Greek architect Sostratus created the project by order of the ruler Ptolemy II in 304 BC. e. A warning system about the danger of entering Alexandria Bay past the island of Pharos in the Mediterranean Sea was created in stages over more than 20 years. The lighthouse was supposed to warn about underwater reefs Pharos, on which it was built.

The design consisted of three oblong marble towers, their total height could be from 120 to 140 m. The last part was a cylinder, with a fire burning at its top. Inventors came up with a way to obtain directional solar reflection using mirrors that gave a signal during the day. At night, the lighthouse attendants traditionally lit a fire. If there was no sun during the day, the sailors were warned by a column of smoke. For several centuries, the structure was considered the tallest artificial building.

Several earthquakes severely damaged the wonderful lighthouse of Alexandria on Pharos. Sailors, soldiers, traders and travelers needed it to be restored. The Arabs, having invaded Egypt, began repairs and increased the height of the structure to 30 m. At this point, the construction work was completed, and in 1480, a fort was erected in the same place, from the same building materials. The lighthouse on Pharos stood in the sea for almost 1000 years.

List of miracles - heritage of world history and culture

Scientists believe that more complete and accurate lists of the wonders of the world could be kept in the Library of Alexandria, the world's most important collection of ancient manuscripts. The vault was heavily damaged during a fire caused by Julius Caesar's invasion of Alexandria. Almost 500 thousand books and scrolls were destroyed by flames. A huge layer of cultural heritage has disappeared, on which the paths taken by world history largely depended.

The Seven Wonders of the World are valuable monuments of ancient art and architecture. These are not only beautiful sights, but also complex construction and technical solutions. Each of the creations was unique, outstanding for its time. Ancient buildings and monuments were elevated to the rank of miracles by the most outstanding scientists, creators, and rulers of the ancient world. It is little mentioned in various sources that some changes were made to the list, but its essence and name remained unchanged. The list necessarily included seven miracles, as has been the custom since the times of Herodotus and Philo of Byzantium.

From amazing structures of the ancient world, only the Cheops pyramid has survived to this day; the rest fell under the onslaught of barbarians or became victims of natural disasters. No one knows exactly what the six wonders of the world looked like. All images are the fruit of historical research, reconstructions, and the imagination of historians and artists. Each generation brings something of its own to the understanding of the cultural phenomenon called the “seven wonders of the world.” Each of these artifacts has its own website on the Internet. Solid scientific works are devoted to the study of man-made miracles.

The role of mythology in maintaining interest in the seven wonders of the world

For 2.5 thousand years, the ancient list of the main attractions of the Old World has excited the minds of researchers, travelers, and ordinary people. Throughout the past centuries, the attitude towards the seven wonders of the world was almost mystical. It is surprising that the ancient authors did not show any particular desire to expand the “top 7” or replace the retired attractions on the list with new monuments.

Researchers of the ancient world claim that the attitude towards miracles from the famous list was always respectful. It was believed that seven ancient architectural structures and monuments were deservedly included in the short but capacious list. Each participant in this historical “hit parade” turned into a national shrine, an object of worship and veneration.

The magic of the number 7 in ancient times was considered divine, irrational. The mythology and life of many peoples of the planet are associated with this number of elements in different spheres of life. For example, there are 7 days in a week. The explanation may be the structure of the solar system, or rather, the way the celestial sphere was represented in Ancient Greece. The Sun, Moon and five planets were visible to the naked eye. The ancient gods had the same names (Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus, Mercury).

Wonders of the World: new version

What seven wonders of the world could compete with the wonderful structures that have disappeared from the face of the planet? Based on online voting, a list was created of other wonders of the world that have been preserved and can be admired with your own eyes. The action was organized and carried out on the threshold of the third millennium by a non-profit organization. The initiators of this grandiose action put forward several compelling reasons that prompted them to start compiling various lists and compilations of world attractions of the highest level:

• traditional ancient wonders were located only in that part of the Old World that was familiar and subjugated to Hellenic culture;
• The list did not include grandiose structures in a significant part of Asia, in the New World and in other regions;
• selection for the list was made according to criteria depending on the ideas of the ancient Greeks about wonderful monuments;
• “overboard” there are natural phenomena that sometimes surpass in their grandeur man-made miracles.

It was decided to determine the winners of the entire project separately among architectural and natural monuments. The results were also summed up twice: in 2007 and 2011. Residents of two hundred countries took part in the online survey. Based on its results, “favorites” were selected - attractions that are known to most of the planet’s inhabitants. We're talking about the Great Chinese wall, Taj Mahal in India, the construction of Machu Picchu in Peru on the territory South America and other phenomena. But the UNESCO Committee responded to this action with a statement that popular vote is not the method that should be used to search for miracles that can replace artifacts of world history and culture that disappeared in ancient times.

The only one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world that has survived to this day is the Great Pyramid of Giza - the Pyramid of Cheops. In the suburbs of Egypt's capital, Cairo, this ancient monument was designed and built as the tomb of the most famous pharaoh Cheops (Khufu) and is recognized as the tallest structure of its time. It’s hard to believe, but the height of this miracle of art is almost 147 meters (imagine five nine-story buildings stacked on top of each other). Initially, the pyramid occupied an area larger than seven football fields, and the length of one of the sides of its base was over 230 meters.

Construction Great Pyramid, according to the official version of Egyptologists, ended in 2540 BC. To create this truly extraordinary miracle, it took the joint efforts of 100 thousand people. According to archaeologists' calculations, the work lasted about 20 years.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

It is generally accepted that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are built around 600 BC by order of the Neo-Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife, the Median princess Amytis. Later, the daughter of King Cyaxares began to be called after the Assyrian queen.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were a four-story building, shaped like a pyramid, the tiers of which, supported by powerful columns, were both balconies and terraces. Hanging unique plants combined with fountains and ponds turned the Babylonian structure into a real oasis.

To supply the gardens with water, a special irrigation system was designed: hundreds of slaves rotated wheels with buckets all day long. When Babylon fell into decay, there was no one to do the irrigation, and the unique flora of the hanging gardens died. Frequent earthquakes completed the job - finally destroying the palace. Babylon disappeared from the face of the earth, and with it the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the the most beautiful monuments antiquities.

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

In the 5th century BC, the sports and religious center of Ancient Greece was Olympia, where the god Zeus was most revered. It was to him, the head of the ancient Greek Pantheon, that the Olympians unanimously decided to build a majestic temple. To implement the plan, the Athenian sculptor Phidias, famous for his sculptures, was invited to Olympia. The master faced a difficult task: to create a structure that would surpass all his previous creations in its monumentality. Phidias gave the go-ahead. Work has begun.

It took the sculptor and his apprentices ten years to Ancient world saw this wonder of the world. The temple was entirely made of marble. Columns made of limestone were installed along its perimeter. On the walls of the temple there were picturesque bas-reliefs depicting Zeus and the twelve labors of Hercules.

The thunder god himself, called “the embodiment of male beauty,” was made of ivory and reached a height of 13 meters. He sat majestically on a throne carved from ebony and covered with chased gold plates, and almost touched the ceiling of the temple.

Phidias' masterpiece did not go unnoticed. For many years, writers and philosophers admired him, classifying the statue of Olympian Zeus among the best creations of mankind. But in 476 there was a fire, during which this wonder of the world was lost.

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

Initiator and “sponsor” latest version Artemision, the temple of Artemis of Ephesus, was. The construction of this wonder of the world, which began in 323 BC, from limestone and marble, continued for many years. The “highlight” of the temple, its main distinguishing feature, were 127 giant columns installed in nine rows. The interior decoration of Artemision was mesmerizing. There was everything here: marvelous statues made by the best architects of that time, and beautiful paintings by famous artists. And in the center of this splendor stood the statue of the goddess Artemis, the patroness of love relationships and the family hearth.

Artemision, rebuilt by Alexander, lasted six centuries. It was plundered and destroyed by the Goths, and was inundated by numerous floods. Today, the existence of this wonder of the world is evidenced by only one single column, restored from the rubble.

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Ancient Halicarnassus, where the “father of history” Herodotus was born, was famous for its architectural beauty. White marble temples built in honor of Ares and Aphrodite, the Salmakin fountain, theaters and palaces attracted foreign guests to the city. But the real “pearl” of Halicarnassus, a wonder of the world, was the tomb of the despotic king, which he began to build during his lifetime.

Pytheas and Satyros, the best architects of that time, worked on the tomb, which consisted of three tiers and reached a height of 46 meters. Leochares and Skopas were entrusted with decorating the building - creating marble figures of gods, animals and horsemen.