What is the 5th Wonder of the World? Exploring the New 7 Wonders

From ancient ruins to towering monuments, the Seven Wonders of the World represent humanity’s greatest architectural achievements. This list has evolved, and understanding what constitutes the “5th wonder” requires exploring the modern selection.

The New Seven Wonders of the World, featuring iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer, the Colosseum, and the Great Wall of China.

The original list of seven wonders was compiled over 2000 years ago by Hellenic travelers who were captivated by the most incredible man-made constructions of their time. Over the centuries, most of these ancient wonders have been lost, with only the Great Pyramid of Giza still standing. Recognizing this, Swiss-born Canadian filmmaker Bernard Weber established the New7Wonders Foundation in 2001. The goal was to identify a new list of seven wonders for the modern era, inviting the public to participate in a global vote. After months of deliberation, debate, and shortlisting, the world chose the following impressive architectural feats. Understanding this list is key to identifying the 5th wonder of the world. While Vietnam boasts its own breathtaking landscapes like Ha Long Bay, sometimes referred to as a vietnam wonder of the world, the global New7Wonders list focuses on specific man-made achievements.

The New Seven Wonders of the World

The global poll resulted in a list spanning diverse continents and historical periods, celebrating different facets of human ingenuity and ambition across various 10 wonder of the world man made achievements.

1. The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

The ancient Roman Colosseum, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, in Rome, Italy.

The Colosseum, located in the heart of Rome, Italy, is a grand oval amphitheater constructed between 72 and 81 CE. It served as the primary venue where gladiators fought for their lives and entertained vast crowds. As the largest amphitheater ever built, this colossal structure, made from sand and stone, could accommodate up to 80,000 spectators arranged around a central stage. Beyond gladiatorial combat, it hosted dramatic Classical plays, animal hunts, and public executions. Some historical accounts even suggest the arena was flooded to stage mock naval battles known as naumachia.

Panoramic view of the historic interior of the Colosseum amphitheater.

Despite suffering partial damage from earthquakes and stone pilfering over centuries, the Colosseum remains a potent symbol of Roman history. It attracts thousands of tourists annually and deservedly holds its place among the new seven wonders of the world.

2. The Great Wall of China

The immense Great Wall of China winding through mountains.

The Great Wall of China is an enormous defensive barrier stretching thousands of miles along China’s historic northern border. Its origins trace back to the 7th century BCE as a series of smaller walls built to defend against nomadic raids. In 220 BCE, China’s first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, orchestrated the monumental task of unifying these separate walls into one formidable barrier, reinforcing and extending it to repel invaders from the north. If you’re curious about other significant ancient structures, you might wonder about the 2nd wonder of the world from the original list, which was the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

A section of the Great Wall of China, a man-made wonder.

Today, the Great Wall of China is recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world. Its total length, including all known branches and sections constructed over different dynasties, measures an astonishing 13,171 miles. Contrary to popular myth, astronauts have confirmed that the Great Wall cannot be seen with the naked eye from the Moon, though it is visible from low Earth orbit.

3. The Taj Mahal, India

The beautiful white marble Taj Mahal mausoleum in Agra, India.

India’s world-renowned Taj Mahal, whose name means “Crown of Palaces” in Persian, is a breathtaking white marble mausoleum situated on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in the city of Agra. It has been rightly chosen as one of the new seven wonders of the world. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned its construction as a tomb for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away in 1631 during childbirth. The central marble tomb is surrounded by 42 acres of meticulously planned grounds, which include exquisite gardens, a mosque, a guest house, and a reflecting pool, completing the complex.

The entire project was an immense undertaking, requiring over 22 years to complete and involving approximately 20,000 workers. The estimated cost at the time was 32 million rupees, equivalent to around US$827 million in today’s currency. This painstaking effort resulted in a masterpiece. Today, the Taj Mahal is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands as a vital testament to India’s rich Mughal history and architectural prowess.

4. Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The imposing statue of Christ the Redeemer stands majestically over Rio de Janeiro from the summit of Mount Corcovado. Reaching a height of 30 meters, this monument is an instantly recognizable emblem of Brazil. This monumental public sculpture was initially conceived by Polish-French sculptor Paul Landowski in the 1920s and was completed by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and French engineer Albert Caquot in 1931. Constructed from reinforced concrete and clad in over six million soapstone tiles, the Christ the Redeemer statue holds the distinction of being the largest Art Deco sculpture anywhere in the world. Erected shortly after the conclusion of the First World War, the sculpture served as a powerful symbol of Christianity and hope during a period when much of the world was grappling with hardship and despair.

Notably, this is the only relatively modern monument (built in the 20th century) that secured a place on the new list of wonders. While it could be debated what is the newest world wonder among major landmarks globally, Christ the Redeemer is the most recent addition on this specific list. Other significant modern structures, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower, the Beijing National Stadium, and the Barcelona Pavilion, were also considered but did not make the final cut.

5. Machu Picchu, Peru

The ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu high in the Andes Mountains, Peru, listed as the 5th New Wonder.

Answering the specific question, the 5th wonder of the world on the New7Wonders list is Machu Picchu. This ancient Incan citadel is a lost treasure from the 15th century, discovered remarkably high in the Andes mountains, perched above Peru’s Sacred Valley. Astonishingly, it is one of the rare pre-Columbian ruins found in a nearly intact state. The site features clear evidence of former plazas, temples, agricultural terraces, and residential structures. Archaeologists believe the citadel was constructed around 1450 CE as a royal estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, utilizing sophisticated polished dry-stone walls.

Detail of the Temple of the Condor at Machu Picchu, showcasing Incan stonework.

The Incas mysteriously abandoned the site about a century after its construction, and it remained hidden from the outside world for centuries until it was brought to international attention by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. Due to its remarkable state of preservation and its historical significance, Machu Picchu is recognized today as the 5th wonder of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

6. Chichén Itzá, Mexico

The El Castillo pyramid (Temple of Kukulcan) at the Mayan site of Chichen Itza, Mexico.

Deep within the Mexican state of Yucatán lies Chichen Itzá, a significant historic Mayan city that flourished between the 9th and 12th centuries. Constructed by the pre-Columbian Mayan tribe known as the Itzá, the city is home to a series of impressive monuments and temples. The most iconic structure is El Castillo, also referred to as the Temple of Kukulcan. This colossal step pyramid dominates the center of the city and was built as a devotional temple dedicated to the feathered serpent god, Kukulcan.

The Tzompantli or Skull Wall at Chichen Itza.

Remarkably, the main temple features a total of 365 steps, corresponding to the number of days in a year. Even more impressively, during the spring and summer equinoxes, the afternoon sun creates triangular shadows descending the pyramid’s north stairway. These shadows strikingly resemble a feathered serpent slithering down towards a carved stone snake head at the base. This alignment showcases the Mayans’ advanced astronomical knowledge and architectural precision, making it undeniably one of the world’s wonders.

7. Petra, Jordan

The treasury facade (Al Khazneh) carved into rock at the ancient city of Petra, Jordan.

Petra, an ancient city situated in southern Jordan, is often called the “rose city” due to the warm, reddish hue of the rock from which it is carved. Its history dates back as far as 312 BCE. Nestled within a remote valley, this city was established by the Arab Nabataeans, a sophisticated civilization renowned for carving stunning architecture and intricate water management systems directly out of the surrounding sandstone cliffs. The Nabataeans strategically positioned Petra as a thriving trade hub, accumulating vast wealth and supporting a large population before the city was ultimately devastated by a series of earthquakes.

Towering rock walls surrounding the historic city of Petra.

For centuries, Petra remained largely unknown to the Western world until it was rediscovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. The 19th-century poet and scholar John William Burgon famously described Petra as “a rose-red city half as old as time,” a phrase that beautifully captures its ancient beauty and enduring mystery.

Map of the New Seven Wonders of the World

Map showing the global locations of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Visiting the new seven wonders of the world would take you on an incredible global journey, from Mexico in North America to Brazil in South America, across to Italy and Jordan in Europe/Middle East, and further east to India, China, and Peru. This list encompasses a much broader geographical scope compared to the original seven wonders of the ancient world, which were predominantly concentrated around the Mediterranean Sea.

What Were the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?

Map showing the locations of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The creation of the new wonders list was directly inspired by the original list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ancient travelers during the Hellenistic Era meticulously documented the remarkable architectural achievements they encountered, considering them the pinnacle of human imagination and capability. The new list serves as a tribute to this ancient tradition of marveling at human-made wonders. If you’re interested in ancient history, you might also explore what the 6th ancient wonder of the world was – the Colossus of Rhodes.

Numerous lists of ancient wonders emerged from their explorations, but the most widely recognized and celebrated was compiled by Antipater of Sidon in the 2nd-1st century BCE. His list, famously presented in poetic form, included: The Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Of these, only the Great Pyramid of Giza, completed over 4,000 years ago, still stands today. The number seven held significant meaning for the ancient Greeks, symbolizing perfection.

What Are the Seven Natural Wonders of the World?

Iguazu Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world, on the border of Argentina and Brazil.

While traditional lists focus on human creations, enthusiasts have also proposed lists of seven natural wonders, celebrating the Earth’s own magnificent formations. These lists often vary, but commonly include sites like Iguazu Falls on the border between Argentina and Brazil, Table Mountain in South Africa, Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, the vast Amazon River and Rainforest, Jeju Island in South Korea, Komodo Island in Indonesia, and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in the Philippines.

What Were Considered Wonders in the Middle Ages?

Stonehenge, an ancient monument considered a wonder of the Middle Ages, illuminated by sunlight.

People in the Middle Ages also held certain ancient and contemporary structures in high regard, though no single definitive list of seven wonders existed during this period. Based on historical writings and references, organizations like the 7Wonders Organization have suggested potential wonders from the Middle Ages. These proposals often include sites such as the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey; Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England; the Saladin Citadel of Cairo in Egypt; Cluny Abbey in France; Ely Cathedral in Cambridge, England; and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, among other notable structures from that era.

Conclusion

The question “What Is The 5th Wonder Of The World” leads us to explore the fascinating list of the New Seven Wonders, as voted on by a global public. The list features incredible structures like the Colosseum, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Christ the Redeemer, Machu Picchu (the 5th wonder), Chichen Itzá, and Petra. These sites represent diverse cultures, eras, and architectural styles, collectively showcasing humanity’s remarkable ability to build, create, and inspire across millennia. While the original ancient wonders have mostly vanished, the new list, alongside considerations of natural and medieval wonders, continues the tradition of recognizing and celebrating the most awe-inspiring achievements on Earth.