Exploring the Wonders of the World is a series of short 360 videos featuring seven architectural and natural wonders from around the globe. These include the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Petra, Christ the Redeemer, the Colosseum, Chichen Itza and Machu Picchu.
The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum that was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife. Its symmetrical design and serene beauty is an inspiration for modern architecture.
Pyramids of Giza
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids of Giza offer a window into a powerful historical dynasty. They also present a mystery that continues to puzzle historians.
The three primary pyramids at the Giza Plateau—the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure—housed the tombs of pharaohs who believed that when they died, their souls would move on to the afterlife. They prepared for this transition by constructing these monumental mortuary complexes.
Flinders Petrie, who led the excavations of the pyramids in the 19th century, carefully preserved the structures. His care paved the way for future archaeologists and helped preserve these marvels of antiquity.
Lighthouse of Alexandria
It was a technological masterpiece of its time and the tallest man-made structure for centuries. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is considered the most important lighthouse ever built.
Its height was so impressive that it could be seen from far away and guided ships into the harbor. It was a symbol of Alexandria and was depicted on the flag and seal of the Governorate.
In 1968, UNESCO sponsored an archaeological expedition to locate the remains of the Pharos lighthouse in the sea floor in Alexandria’s eastern harbor. Jeans-Yves Empereur documented physical remnants resembling the lighthouse on film and pictures, but the exploration was halted because the coastal area became a military zone.
Temple of Artemis
A magnificent place of worship built to the goddess Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt. Originally built in 550 BCE by Croesus, King of Lydia, it was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
It was the first temple of its kind to be made entirely of marble. Its peripteral columns were arranged in double rows, forming a wide ceremonial passage around the cella which housed the goddess’ cult statue.
The Greek historian Strabo wrote that Alexander the Great offered to reconstruct it but was refused. Today there is only a single column left where the temple once stood.
Statue of Zeus
At 40 feet (12 meters) tall, the statue depicted Zeus seated on his throne. The god’s skin was sculpted in ivory, with his robes and ornaments rendered in gold applied in hammered sheets.
The sculptor of the statue was Phidias, considered one of the greatest artists in ancient Greece. His other masterpiece was the Parthenon.
During the time of its construction, the Statue of Zeus inspired awe for thousands of visitors. It remained a wonder to many even after the rise of Christianity and the closing of Greek temples.
Colossus of Rhodes
After the Rhodians defeated Demetrius, they built a massive statue in honor of their patron god Helios. It stood tall at the entrance to Mandraki harbor, at the center of Rhodes town.
For 12 years, workers toiled on the Colossus of Rhodes. Its bronze plates must have glittered in the sun, a fitting tribute to its mighty figure. The statue likely stood with its feet together and not straddled the port entrance as it is often depicted.
In 226 B.C., an earthquake struck the island, snapping the colossus at its knees. The Rhodians appealed to kings of Egypt and Macedonia for help in restoring the monument, but an oracle forbade them from raising it again.
Mausoleum of Memnon
The Mausoleum of Memnon is a pair of colossi that once stood at the entrance to the funerary temple of Pharaoh Amenhotep III on the west bank of Luxor. These two massive statues, each weighing about a thousand tons, are sometimes referred to as the musical statues because they are said to emit a sound at sunrise that was believed to be the voice of Memnon, a hero of Greek mythology.
The colossi are carved from solid blocks of quartzite sandstone and depict Amenhotep in a seated position, with two shorter figures that represent his mother and wife, Mutemwiya. The colossi are one of the most famous monuments in Egypt and have captured the imagination of visitors for generations.
Taj Mahal
Like many famous buildings there are a number of myths that surround the Taj Mahal. Although most historians dismiss these stories as folklore they have become part of the enduring saga of this remarkable monument.
The Taj Mahal is a masterpiece that integrates and expands upon a broad range of design traditions including Hindu, Persian, and earlier Mughal architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Visiting The Taj is a truly breathtaking experience. It can look pearly grey and pink at sunrise, dazzling white at high noon, and a translucent orange-bronze at sunset.