What is the Sixth Wonder of the World? Exploring Global Marvels
From ancient feats of engineering to modern tributes to faith, the wonders of the world capture humanity’s imagination. These lists highlight incredible architectural achievements and natural phenomena that inspire awe across generations. Often, when discussing these lists, people ask: “What Is The Sixth Wonder Of The World?”
The most recognized modern list, established in the early 21st century, names seven spectacular sites. This selection process involved millions of global votes, aiming to identify new symbols of human ingenuity for our time.
Overview image showing illustrations of the New Seven Wonders of the World: Christ the Redeemer, Colosseum, and the Great Wall of China.
The concept originated over 2000 years ago with adventurous Hellenic travelers who compiled a list of the most incredible man-made constructions of their era. Of that ancient list, only the Great Pyramid of Giza still stands. In 2001, a new initiative sought to create a modern list through a global poll. After extensive deliberation, here are the architectural marvels that made the final cut for the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The New Seven Wonders of the World
1. The Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Exterior view of the ancient Roman Colosseum amphitheater in Rome, Italy.
Located in the heart of Rome, Italy, the great oval amphitheater known as the Colosseum was completed between 72 and 80 CE. This colossal structure served as the stage for gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, executions, and even re-enactments of sea battles for the entertainment of up to 80,000 spectators. Constructed from sand and stone over eight years, it remains the largest amphitheater ever built.
Panoramic view of the interior seating and structure of the Colosseum.
Despite suffering damage from earthquakes and stone scavenging over centuries, the Colosseum endures as an iconic symbol of Roman history and a major tourist attraction, solidifying its place on the modern list of wonders.
2. The Great Wall of China
Section of the Great Wall of China winding across green hills.
Spanning thousands of miles along China’s historic northern border, the Great Wall is a monumental barrier built over millennia. Its origins trace back to smaller walls erected as early as the 7th century BCE for protection against nomadic tribes. In 220 BCE, the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, orchestrated the unification and expansion of these walls into one immense fortification against northern invaders.
Close-up view of a restored section of the Great Wall of China.
Today, including all its branches, the Great Wall measures an astounding 13,171 miles. While a common myth suggested it was visible from space, astronauts have confirmed this is not true with the naked eye from the moon. Nevertheless, its sheer scale and historical significance earn it a spot among the new seven wonders.
3. The Taj Mahal, India
The white marble Taj Mahal mausoleum reflected in water at sunrise in Agra, India.
India’s world-renowned Taj Mahal, meaning “Crown of Palaces” in Persian, is a stunning white marble mausoleum situated on the bank of the Yamuna River in Agra. This architectural masterpiece was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, following her death in 1631. The central marble tomb is surrounded by 42 acres of landscaped grounds, including gardens, a mosque, a guest house, and a reflective pool.
The construction took over 22 years and involved 20,000 workers, costing an estimated 32 million rupees (equivalent to around US$827 million today). The result is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a vital testament to India’s rich Mughal history, recognized globally as one of the seven wonders.
4. Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
The towering Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Standing majestically atop Mount Corcovado, overlooking Rio de Janeiro, the totemic statue of Christ the Redeemer is an iconic national emblem of Brazil. This monumental public artwork, towering 30 meters tall, was designed by Polish-French sculptor Paul Landowski in the 1920s and completed in 1931 by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and French engineer Albert Caquot. Clad in over six million soapstone tiles over reinforced concrete, it is the largest Art Deco sculpture worldwide. Built after World War I, it became a powerful symbol of Christianity and hope during a period of global hardship.
This is the only monument from the modern era that made the list of New Wonders, though other contemporary structures like the Sydney Opera House or the Eiffel Tower were suggested during the selection process.
5. Machu Picchu, Peru
Ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu high in the Andes mountains, Peru.
Nestled high in the Andes mountains above Peru’s Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu is a remarkable 15th-century Inca citadel. Astonishingly well-preserved, it features intact plazas, temples, agricultural terraces, and homes, offering a rare glimpse into the pre-Columbian Inca civilization. Archaeologists believe it was built around 1450 as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, featuring finely crafted drystone walls.
Stone structures of the Temple of the Condor at Machu Picchu, Peru.
The Incas abandoned the site about a century later, and it remained hidden from the Western world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to public attention in 1911. Its extraordinary state of preservation makes it a truly deserving addition to the seven wonders list.
6. Chichén Itzá, Mexico: The Sixth Wonder
The iconic El Castillo pyramid, centerpiece of Chichén Itzá, the sixth wonder of the world.
Often inquired about is “What Is The Sixth Wonder Of The World?” – this prestigious title belongs to the incredible Mayan city of the sixth wonder of the world Chichén Itzá, located deep within the Mexican state of Yucatán. This historic Mayan city, built between the 9th and 12th centuries by the Itzá people, is home to a series of impressive monuments and temples. Its most celebrated structure is El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulcan, a vast step pyramid central to the city, built as a temple honoring the god Kukulkan.
The Tzompantli (Skull Wall) relief carvings at Chichén Itzá, Mexico.
El Castillo boasts 365 steps in total, symbolizing each day of the year. An even more astonishing feature occurs during the spring and summer equinoxes: the afternoon sun casts triangular shadows down the pyramid’s north stairway, creating the illusion of a feathered serpent descending towards a stone snake head at the base. This blend of architectural precision and astronomical alignment makes Chichén Itzá a truly wondrous site and the confirmed the sixth wonder of the world.
7. Petra, Jordan
The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) carved into sandstone cliffs in Petra, Jordan.
Known as the “rose city” for its distinctive golden-red sandstone color, Petra is an ancient city in southern Jordan dating back as far as 312 BCE. Situated in a remote valley, it was founded by the Nabataeans, a sophisticated Arab civilization that carved stunning architecture and complex water management systems directly into the surrounding rock faces. Petra flourished as a major trade hub, accumulating vast wealth and a large population before being devastated by earthquakes.
Narrow canyon walls leading to the ancient city of Petra, Jordan.
Largely unknown to the Western world for centuries, the city was rediscovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Its remarkable rock-cut architecture and hidden valley setting make it an unparalleled historical site and a well-deserved modern wonder.
Mapping the New Seven Wonders
Map showing the locations of the New Seven Wonders of the World across different continents.
Visiting the New Seven Wonders of the World would take you on a global adventure, spanning continents from North America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru) to Europe (Italy) and Asia (China, India, Jordan). This list represents a much broader geographical scope compared to the ancient list, which was primarily centered around the Mediterranean region.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Map illustrating the locations of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World in the Mediterranean region.
The creation of the modern wonders list pays tribute to the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Compiled by ancient travelers like Antipater of Sidon, these structures were considered the pinnacle of human achievement in their time. The list included the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis, the Mausoleum of 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 survives. The number seven held significant meaning for the ancient Greeks, symbolizing perfection.
The Seven Natural Wonders of the World
Beyond man-made marvels, there are also lists dedicated to the incredible wonders created by nature. Enthusiasts have compiled a list of seven natural wonders, including the breathtaking Iguazu Falls on the border between Argentina and Brazil, South Africa’s iconic Table Mountain, Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, the vast Amazon River and Rainforest, Jeju Island in South Korea, Komodo Island in Indonesia, and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in the Philippines.
Panoramic view of the powerful Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil, a natural wonder.
Wonders Considered in the Middle Ages
Sunrise light passing through the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge in England.
Our ancestors in the Middle Ages also recognized remarkable sites from earlier periods. While no single definitive list existed then, historical writings suggest structures considered wondrous. The 7Wonders Organization has proposed several potential wonders from this era based on historical accounts, such as the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey; Stonehenge in England; the Saladin Citadel of Cairo in Egypt; Cluny Abbey in France; Ely Cathedral in England; and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.
The concept of a “wonder” isn’t always limited to historical or natural sites. In the world of entertainment, challenging achievements can also be seen as requiring miraculous effort, much like figuring out how to beat special world mario wonder in a popular video game, or navigating a complex section like mario wonder world 6 walkthrough. Similarly, unique natural phenomena, like the wonder of the world plant tea, capture attention through their remarkable properties. Some places today are even debated as potential future wonders, perhaps deserving the title of an “eighth” wonder, like various suggested locations including those mentioned in articles about turkey 8th wonder of the world.
These lists, whether ancient, modern, natural, or medieval, reflect humanity’s enduring fascination with the spectacular, the challenging, and the awe-inspiring achievements found across the globe and even in other realms of human endeavor.
