While there are thousands of natural wonders across the world, there are tons of other man-made ones that are absolutely breathtaking. And one can only wonder how much effort, resources, and manpower was invested in creating these masterpieces.
Here is a list of six man-made wonders that are brilliant masterpieces!
Taj Mahal, India
Widely known as the monument of love, the Taj Mahal is located in Agra, a city in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. One of the most admired masterpieces in the world, it was built by Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Its construction began in 1631 CE. While the principal mausoleum was completed in 1648 CE, the gardens and peripheral buildings were finished by 1653 CE.
This awe-inspiring monument is a perfect blend of architecture that combines Persian, Indian, and Islamic styles. In 1983, the monument was accorded the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Structure.
Statue of Liberty, United States of America
Who doesn’t recognize the iconic picture of a woman with a torch in her hand?
Located in New York, the Statue of Liberty is a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States to commemorate the friendship between the citizens of the two nations.
The statue is a figure of Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty, which is holding a torch in her right hand and a ‘tabula ansata’ inscribed in the Roman numerals JULY IV MDCCLXXVI that translates to 4th July 1776, the date of the Declaration of Independence of the United States.
Dedicated on 28th October 1886, the statue was created by French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi while the steel framework was designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel.
Eiffel Tower, France
Built for the World’s Fair of 1889 that commemorated 100 years of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower was first opened to the public on 15th May 1889. At that time, it was the tallest structure in the world and held that distinction for four decades until the Chrysler Building in New York was constructed in 1930. It is, though, still the tallest structure of Paris. It stands at a whopping 324 metres in height and weighs a massive 7,300 tonnes.
The tower is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and constructed the majestic structure.
Great Wall of China, China
The Great Wall of China is a name given to numerous walls built across North China and South Mongolia to protect territories of Chinese states against foreign invasions. The walls were built from the 7th century BCE and the construction continued for two millenniums.
If one measures the length of the various sections of the Great Wall, its distance is more than a whopping 21,000 kilometres. It was accorded the status on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987.
While some sections of the walls have disappeared or are in ruins, this is one of the most imposing and majestic structures of the Earth. It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that this is one of the greatest engineering triumphs of the world!
Colosseum, Italy
One of the biggest amphitheatres ever built, the Colosseum was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian around 70-72 CE. It is also called the Flavian Amphitheatre because it was built in the reign of the Flavian emperors. It was only in 80 CE that Titus, the son of Vespasian, opened the Colosseum by organizing 100 days of games that included gladiator combats.
The Colosseum is oval and is so big that it can fit a football pitch inside! It could accommodate around 50,000 people at a time and had 80 entrances.
Unfortunately, a majority of the Colosseum is destroyed due to vandalism and natural calamities such as earthquakes. However, it still remains one of the most popular destinations in Italy.
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
One of the most remarkable architectural monuments in the world, the Leaning Tower of Pisa was designed as a circular bell tower that would stand at a height of 185 feet. Its construction began in 1173 and continued for about two centuries, finishing in 1399.
Its tilt is the result of an unstable foundation, which resulted due to the presence of soft ground on one side that was not able to support the weight of the entire structure.
Its height is about 55.67m on the highest side and 55.86 on the lowest one. The tower weights a massive 14,500 tonnes.
Aren’t these structures marvellous? What other man-made wonders have we missed out on? Do let us know in the comments section below.
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