How to See the Seven Wonders of the World
If you're like most people, you probably have a bucket list of things you want to see and do before you die. And if you're anything like me, one of the items on that list is to see the Seven Wonders of the World.
The Seven Wonders of the World are some of the most incredible man-made structures in existence. They include the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.
Fortunately, seeing all seven wonders is easier than ever before. In this blog post, I'll tell you how to see each of them.
The Seven Wonders of the World.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex in Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact.
Built around 2560 BC for Pharaoh Khufu, it held the title of tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3,800 years, until the construction of Lincoln Cathedral in England in 1311 AD.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and are considered one of history’s first examples of landscaping and garden design.
They were built by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 600 BC on an artificial hill in modern-day Iraq, near the city of Al Hillah.
The gardens were destroyed by a series of earthquakes after Nebuchadnezzar’s death, and today only their foundations remain.
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a 12-meter (40 feet) tall gold and an ivory statue depicting Zeus seated on an elaborately decorated throne.
It was sculpted by Phidias around 435 BC and was one of Classical Greece’s most famous artworks. The statue was destroyed by fire in 475 AD, but its ruins are still visible at Olympia today.
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
The Temple of Artemis was a Greek temple dedicated to Artemis, goddess of hunting, wild animals, virginity, and childbirth. It was located in Ephesus (present-day Turkey) and was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World for its size and grandeur – it was reportedly four times larger than Athens’ Parthenon temple! The temple was destroyed by arsonists in 356 BC but later rebuilt; it eventually fell into ruin after being plundered by Goths in 268 AD.
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was a tomb built between 353 and 350 BC for King Mausolus – hence its name! It stood 45 meters (148 feet) tall and featured 36 columns supporting a massive stone roof decorated with statues and relief carvings. Like many other ancient wonders, it fell into ruin over time but remained a popular tourist destination until 1494 when an earthquake completely destroyed it.
How to See the Seven Wonders of the World.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is located in Egypt, just outside of Cairo. To see the Great Pyramid, you can either take a tour from Cairo or go on your own.
If you take a tour, there are many different options available. You can choose a day trip, which will include transportation to and from the pyramid complex as well as a guided tour. You can also choose an overnight trip, which will give you more time to explore the area and maybe even catch a glimpse of the pyramids at night. Whichever option you choose, make sure to book in advance as tours often sell out quickly.
If you decide to go on your own, it is possible to take public transportation to the site but it may be more difficult to navigate. Once you arrive, there is an entrance fee to enter the complex but once inside, you are free to explore at your own pace. Be sure to bring water and sunscreen as it can get very hot in Egypt!
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were one of the Seven Wonders of the World and were located in modern-day Iraq. They were built by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 600 BCE and were designed to resemble an oasis in the desert for his wife Queen Amytis who was homesick for her native Persia. Today, little remains of the gardens but there are some ruins that have been excavated and preserved in a nearby museum.
To see what remains of the Hanging Gardens, you will need to travel to Baghdad where the ruins are located. There is an entrance fee to enter the site but once inside, you are free to explore at your own pace. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking involved and it can be quite hot in Iraq during the summer months.
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was one of ancient Greece’s most impressive sculptures and was considered one Seven Wonders of the World. Created by Phidias around 435 BCE, it depicted Zeus seated on a throne with gold and ivory details. The statue was so large that it had be housed in Temple dedicated solely for its display.
Although only fragments remain today, reconstruction efforts have been made so visitors can still get a sense of scale and grandeur original work.
Located in Olympia, Greece, the site where the statue was originally housed, a small archaeological park open year-round for those wishing to view ruins To reach the park, fly into Athens International Airport and then take an approximately 3-hour car ride west.
There is no admission fee for the park however standard ticket must purchase in order to access the Museum housing statues fragments Guided tours are available to provide more information and history surrounding the site If visit during the summer months, be prepared for heat as temperatures often exceed 30 degrees Celsius.
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the World and was located in modern-day Turkey. It was built in honor of the goddess Artemis and was one of the largest temples of its time. Today, only a few ruins remain but they are still impressive to see.
To see the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, you will need to travel to Selcuk which is located just outside of Izmir. There is an entrance fee to enter the site but once inside, you are free to explore at your own pace. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking involved and it can be quite hot in Turkey during the summer months.
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was one of the Seven Wonders of the World and was located in modern-day Turkey. It was built around 350 BCE as a tomb for King Mausolus who ruled over the city of Halicarnassus. Today, only ruins remain but they are still impressive to see.
To see the ruins of the Mausoleum, you will need to travel to Bodrum which is located on the coast of Turkey. There is an entrance fee to enter the site but once inside, you are free to explore at your own pace. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking involved and it can be quite hot in Turkey during the summer months.
Conclusion
The Seven Wonders of the World are some of the most amazing and awe-inspiring sights in the world. While it may seem impossible to see all of them in person, with a little planning and effort, it is definitely possible to see all seven.
The Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus are all incredible wonders that are definitely worth seeing. If you have the opportunity to see any of these sights in person, don't hesitate – to go for it! You'll be glad you did.