View Full Version : Seven Wonders
Ever heard of the seven wonders of the world? Well, it looks like some of them were going to be replaced. Here's an article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061017/od_nm/britain_stonehenge_dc) from Yahoo!. There were 21 locations nominated from all across the world: Acropolis (Athens, Greece) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acropolis), Alhambra (Granada, Spain) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhambra), Angkor Wat (or Vat) Temple (Angkor, Cambodia) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat), Chichen Itza Aztec Site (Yucatan, Mexico) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chichen_Itza), Christ The Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_the_Redeemer_%28statue%29), Colosseum (Rome, Italy) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum), Easter Island Statues (Chile) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Island_Statues), Eiffel Tower (Paris, France) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower), Great Wall (China) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall), Hagia Sophia Church (Istanbul, Turkey) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia), Kyomizu Temple (Kyoto, Japan) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyomizu_Temple), Kremlin/St. Basil's (Moscow, Russia), Machu Picchu (Peru) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu), Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein), Petra Ancient City (Jordan) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra), Pyramid of Giza (Egypt) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramids_of_Giza), Statue of Liberty (New York, USA) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_liberty), Stonehenge (Amesbury, UK) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge), Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Opera_House), Taj Mahal (Agra, India) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_mahal), and Timbuktu City (Mali) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbuktu)
-- I could put this on poll but I'm only limited to 10...too bad. Anyway, just click the links for more information of the places. The only location I couldn't find was that Kremlin/St. Basil's.
-- Take your pick. Which ones do you think should be listed as part of the seven wonders of the world?
-- Personally, I would pick: The Machu Picchu (Peru), Acropolis (Athens, Greece), Petra Ancient City (Jordan), Chichen Itza Aztec Site (Yucatan, Mexico), and Kyomizu Temple (Kyoto, Japan)
Of course you can vote for them at the actual site (http://www.new7wonders.com/) where your vote would make a difference. :) Here's the link on their site for the Kremlin and St Peter's basilica (http://www.new7wonders.com/index.php?id=492&L=0).
I haven't quite decided what I'm voting for - though I doubt it'll make much difference - the old 7 wonders are so ingrained that I doubt anything will manage to overtake them in conversation. However, it would be nice to see a more integrated version out there - I like the Greeks too, but I find it hard to believe they should be credited with more than half of the original wonders. :)
My guess is I'm going to go with: Pyramids, Colliseum, Great Wall, Macchu Picchu, Taj Mahal, Easter Island, and Stonehenge - but I want to research a couple of the sites I know less about before voting. :)
1. Stonehenge (Amesbury, UK)
Because it's still a mystery, how they've build it and if it was created by human hands. I've already read some theories, but none of them are 100%ly proven, as far as I know. I really like Stonehenge, even if I was never there. I hope, I'm able to visit it someday.
2. Chichen Itza Aztec Site (Yucatan, Mexico)
The aztec did an awesome job, with there temples. It's unbelivable, how excellent they sharpened and connected their materials, even nowdays. Researcher said, that you'd need the best laser technology, for such constructions. Some people even say, that'd it's a work of aliens or something this kind. :heh:
If it's called a wonder, it really should be a wonder, in my opinion. That's why I've chosen the (for me) most mysterious ones. I really like them.
About Schloß Neuschwanstein... well, it's a Castle, a huge and beautiful one. I like medieval stuff but it'd never be a one of the seven wonders for me. We've got many castles here. It's a question of taste, which castle you'd like most. So Neuschwanstein isnt THAT special, if you've already visited some more. Like this one:
Wewelsburg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wewelsburg)
It's one of the few castles with only three edges. Not as pretty as Neuschwanstein, but still special. It became famous, during the time of the second world war... but I hate this topic and stop here. I life near this castle.
Aesir
Those huge construction from ancient time always left me in wonder. For example the Great Wall of China or The Pyramids. What kind of people had the vision to make something that big? At the same times it also scares me. Just thinking the cost, materials and labors to make it a reality. Which they probably tax it on the people and use them as labors. The blood that were spilled. ^^;; So when I see a wonder like that, I just cannot help myself imagining the huge amount of people that participate in making it also.
It's incredible what humanity can do when they put their hands together.
ChainLegacy
2006-10-18, 18:24
Having been to Newgrange in Ireland I'd say it is pretty worthy of being on the list... It is older than the great pyramid and Stonehenge and in my opinion is more impressive than many of the entries on that list. Check out the wiki article for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newgrange
dude did you forget the library of alexandria in egypt. but other than that i would want to see the great wall.
1. Stonehenge (Amesbury, UK)
Because it's still a mystery, how they've build it and if it was created by human hands. I've already read some theories, but none of them are 100%ly proven, as far as I know. I really like Stonehenge, even if I was never there. I hope, I'm able to visit it someday.
I had been there once. It is actually very small..... well not very intriguing compared to say pyramid and etc.
I would pick:
1) great wall -- not as old as many others but it is LONG
2) Angkor wat -- it is ridiculously beautiful.....
3) pyramid -- come on....
4) taj mahal -- too beautiful
5) acropolis -- hey, it is a nice one too, and made big money
6) Chichen Itza Aztec Site -- if it is said to be better than tenochitlan, why not?
7) hagia sophia -- too nice, i always have it when i play the old civilization with turk.
8) Kyomizu Temple -- let me keep the anti-western stance! And it is a nice wooden structure too
9) colosseum -- ok, white men can be slightly happier now...
10) eiffel tower -- pourquoi? pourquoi? je ne sais pas!
Going by the elimination rule (of simple, not complicated enough, not historical enough, not valuable enough, not looking very good, and not the better among the similar ones), I would select
1. Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece
3. Angkor Wat temple, Angkor, Cambodia
4. Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico
6. Colosseum, Rome, Italy
10. Hagia Sophia church, Istanbul, Turkey
13. Machu Picchu, Peru
15. Petra ancient city, Jordan
16. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
20. Taj Mahal, Agra, India
I have a question. I'm slightly confused. It said on the website once you register, you get 7 votes. Is that mean I have to vote 7 different wonders or is that mean I have 7 votes that I can put on one single wonder?
mantidor
2006-10-18, 22:06
dude did you forget the library of alexandria in egypt. but other than that i would want to see the great wall.
That one was destroyed :(
I always thought the wonders were all of the ancient world, so I dont know if the opera house in Sidney and other modern constructions should be included, maybe a new category for them should be included.
I have a question. I'm slightly confused. It said on the website once you register, you get 7 votes. Is that mean I have to vote 7 different wonders or is that mean I have 7 votes that I can put on one single wonder?They will select 7 wonders, so logically, unless the system or the preparing person has some error, the 7 votes should go to different architectures.
I had been there once. It is actually very small..... well not very intriguing compared to say pyramid and etc.What's special about Stonehenge is not it's size (though when compared with it's age it is somewhat special considering how it had to be moved) - it's how precise it is. The stone involved in it's construction came from Wales, was transported to the current location, they then had to build hills up around the henge itself, transport the stones to the top of the little hill, set it in place, and then dig away the hill itself (this is the most current interpretation of how it was put together). Even if it wasn't intended to be an astronomical calendar - it's still pretty impressive considering the technology level of the people who built it.
Though I totally agree that it's not as impressive as the Pyramids or the Great Wall, it's important to remember that the cultures who built those wonders had large, well developed agricultural systems - allowing them to "spend" more people on creating monuments of that size.
I am very glad to see people discussing this topic. :) Someday after they come up with the results I would like to plan vacations to see each of the wonders that are selected. :)
Lemonhead
2006-10-19, 01:07
-- Personally, I would pick: The Machu Picchu (Peru), Acropolis (Athens, Greece), Petra Ancient City (Jordan), Chichen Itza Aztec Site (Yucatan, Mexico), and Kyomizu Temple (Kyoto, Japan)
2. Chichen Itza Aztec Site (Yucatan, Mexico)
The aztec did an awesome job, with there temples. It's unbelivable, how excellent they sharpened and connected their materials, even nowdays. Researcher said, that you'd need the best laser technology, for such constructions. Some people even say, that'd it's a work of aliens or something this kind.
6) Chichen Itza Aztec Site -- if it is said to be better than tenochitlan, why not?
Real quick correction for you guys. Chichen Itza is a Mayan site not a Aztec, two different empires. :D
Demongod86
2006-10-19, 01:13
1) Kyomizu Temple--because anything ancient oriental simply looks astoundingly beautiful.
2) Great Wall--a great civilization's defiant stance against any intruders--and ancient China was an AMAZING civilization
3) Stonehenge--5000 years old? Thx.
4) Acropolis--BECAUSE THE ANCIENT GREEKS ROCK. Greek mythology=mad thx, (and mythological Greek girls reincarnated=OMFG HAWT (aka Medea and Medusa aka Fate/Stay Night's CASTER and RIDER :love: ))
5) Colosseum: because like the acropolis, it stands as a symbol of one of the most successful civilizations in all of history.
6) TEH KREMLIN. Sorry folks, but my Russian pride dictates it!
7) The pyramids at Gaza...yes, they're overgrown tombs...but they've stood for a LONG time and are a testament to the ancient egyptians, who were pretty damn advanced for their time.
Some 'wonders' I went out of the way to avoid:
Chichen Itsa: Frankly, I am revolted by any civilization centering around human sacrifice.
Hagia Sophia: It's a damn church (now museum, but was a damn church). Come on, people, you've never seen a church before? Okay, this one looks three times as good...but compared to Japanese temples or the Great Wall? It doesn't hold a candle.
Statue of Liberty: WTF?!!! Yeah, it's an American symbol, but WONDER OF THE WORLD? It sure as hell ain't ancient!
Demongod86
2006-10-19, 01:14
Real quick correction for you guys. Chichen Itza is a Mayan site not a Aztec, to different empires. :D
Bleh, easy enough to confuse them...they're both indian civilizations that had some advanced thinking, but centered around brutal human sacrifice and were wtfpwned by the conquistadors all the same.
dude did you forget the library of alexandria in egypt. but other than that i would want to see the great wall.
Was it included in the list? I thought that was from old seven not the nominated 21s. Besides, it was already destroyed. Most of the old ones were already gone. All you can see there are just bunch of rubbles or just a pole left of the place. Pretty sad isn't it?
i still think it would have been a cool place to visit.:heh:
i still think it would have been a cool place to visit.:heh:
True, but some people don't wanna see just rubbles no? :heh: I still can't believe why the Statue of Liberty, Sydney Opera House, and Eiffel Tower would be part of the nominated list. IMO they don't look that special.
I think it's kinda like a famous landmark. ^^ If you never been to NY. Then suddenly you get the chance to visit, you have to go see the statue of liberty, take pictures, climb to the top and then spit as far as you can. ^^
Was it included in the list? I thought that was from old seven not the nominated 21s. Besides, it was already destroyed. Most of the old ones were already gone. All you can see there are just bunch of rubbles or just a pole left of the place. Pretty sad isn't it?
Yes, yes it is. Well since all of the old ones are gone except for The Great Pyramid of Giza, that is what I'm going for..
I would have gone for The Colossus of Rhodes but since I can't :( I'll go for the pyramid.
Statue of Liberty: WTF?!!! Yeah, it's an American symbol, but WONDER OF THE WORLD? It sure as hell ain't ancient!
I always thought the wonders were all of the ancient world, so I dont know if the opera house in Sidney and other modern constructions should be included, maybe a new category for them should be included.A quick correction - they're not really intended to replace the 7 wonders of the ancient world - that's why they're called the New 7 Wonders of the World. There's also a 7 Natural Wonders of the World (though I can never remember what they are). So it's not really intended to be an age thing. Also, the Statue of Liberty is roughly the same age (I believe it's slightly older) than the Eiffel Tower (both are much older than the Sydney Opera House). The only requirement is that they had to be completed before the year 2000. I guess that makes them Wonders of the not-quite Modern world. ;)
Personally I don't see what the big deal is about Neuschwanstein, the Kremlin or the Statue of Liberty - so none of them were going to receive my vote anyway, but I thought I would clarify the purpose. :)
Hm, in my oppinion none of the listed architectures qualifies for a wonder. I admit I am more into tunnels, bridges, dams, skyscrapers and towers. Ah well, I would not qualify any of these as wonders either... actually I have no idea, what type of structure I'ld regard as wonder. Because if it can be build by man it looses a very important attribute, that is important for my sense of a wonder (supernaturality) :D
Maybe a hovered town...
There's also a 7 Natural Wonders of the World
Those are all on my "To see before I die list" :D Well except Mount Everest. I don't like cold. :p
Hm, in my oppinion none of the listed architectures qualifies for a wonder. I admit I am more into tunnels, bridges, dams, skyscrapers and towers. Ah well, I would not qualify any of these as wonders either... actually I have no idea, what type of structure I'ld regard as wonder. Because if it can be build by man it looses a very important attribute, that is important for my sense of a wonder (supernaturality) :D
Maybe a hovered town...
On that idea, if Atlantis ever proven exist. I think it would be really fantastic to have a sunken city as a wonder. ^^
This isent a World wonder but my home town of spencer WV in the US has the oldest working movie theater in the US maybe the world.
oh and I vote for Stone Hedge
On that idea, if Atlantis ever proven exist. I think it would be really fantastic to have a sunken city as a wonder. ^^
If that were true, and should it be considered a 7 Wonder, then people will gonna have to use submarine to go under the water. And they have the conquer their hydro phobia while they're at it too.
If that were true, and should it be considered a 7 Wonder, then people will gonna have to use submarine to go under the water. And they have the conquer their hydro phobia while they're at it too.
Lol ok I admit that is a abit overfetch. ^^ It's more like a myth than a wonder. :heh: But I always like those Indiana Jones movies. Undiscovered civilizations and architectures are very exciting. There is romance in searching for them. ^_^
I've got the link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_wonders) from the old seven wonders of the world. As you can see, most of them came from either Greece or Egypt....there's only one that's not and that's Babylon (Iraq today). Funny, these places were either destroyed by fire or collapse because of an earthquake
As amazing as Kyomizu temple is I was more impressed with Todai-Ji temple in Nara and would rather of seen that one in their for Japan. At Todai-Ji I just sat their in awe before the massive temple and upon entering, the giant buddha statue took my breath away, truely an amazing sight that I will never forget.
i think some of these things are too new. Such as the Statue of Liberty, Christ, and the Sydney opera. The latter 2 not even being 100 yet... Hell Paris even has a Statue of Liberty. I would even claim that Mount Rushmore was much more of an achievement than Liberty. On the ground that it took 1 man to do it.
I think they need to split this into more times.
1. Ancient World
2. Pre-Steel frame (400 - 1600s)
3. Steel Frame
So I'll vote for
Great Wall
Easter Island heads (Now that's a mystery)
Chitzen Itza
Acropolis (Yea it's bit older than what I would see as Ideal, but what the hell).
Petra
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