New 7 Wonders

New 7 Wonders

new 7 wonders of the world

On July 7, 2007, the world will come together to witness the Declaration of the New 7 Wonders of the World, as chosen in the first-ever global election.

All eyes will be on Benfica Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal with celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Hilary Swank and Ben Kingsley! New 7 Wonders of the World Announced

7 New Wonders Announced

Christ Redeemer, Brazil

This statue of Jesus,(1931), stands some 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Designed by Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, it is one of the world’s best-known monuments. The statue took five years to construct and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. It has become a symbol of the city and of the warmth of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms.

The Roman Colosseum (70 - 82 A.D.) , Italy

The Roman Colosseum, Italy

This great amphitheater (70 - 82 A.D.), in the centre of Rome was built to give favors to successful legionnaires and to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire. Its design concept still stands to this very day, and virtually every modern sports stadium some 2,000 years later still bears the irresistible imprint of the Colosseum's original design. Today, through films and history books, we are even more aware of the cruel fights and games that took place in this arena, all for the joy of the spectators.

Chichén Itzá, Mexico

Chichén Itzá (before 800 A.D.), the most famous Mayan temple city, served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. Its various structures - the pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars, and the Playing Field of the Prisoners – can still be seen today and are demonstrative of an extraordinary commitment to architectural space and composition. The pyramid itself was the last, and arguably the greatest, of all Mayan temples.

Machu Picchu, Peru

In the 15th century, the Incan Emperor Pachacútec (1460-1470), built a city in the clouds on the mountain known as Machu Picchu ("old mountain"). This extraordinary settlement lies halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. It was probably abandoned by the Incas because of a smallpox outbreak and, after the Spanish defeated the Incan Empire, the city remained 'lost' for over three centuries. It was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

Petra, Jordan

On the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). Masters of water technology, the Nabataeans provided their city with great tunnel constructions and water chambers. A theater, modelled on Greek-Roman prototypes, had space for an audience of 4,000. Today, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with the 42-meter-high Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastery, are impressive examples of Middle Eastern culture.

The Taj Mahal, India

This immense mausoleum, (1630 A.D.) was built on the orders of Shah Jahan, the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, to honor the memory of his beloved late wife. Built out of white marble and standing in formally laid-out walled gardens, the Taj Mahal is regarded as the most perfect jewel of Muslim art in India. The emperor was consequently jailed and, it is said, could then only see the Taj Mahal out of his small cell window.

The Great Wall, China

The Great Wall of China, (220 B.C and 1368 - 1644 A.D.) was built to link existing fortifications into a united defense system and better keep invading Mongol tribes out of China. It is the largest man-made monument ever to have been built and it is disputed that it is the only one visible from space. Many thousands of people must have given their lives to build this colossal construction.

The show will be hosted by Bipasha Basu, Hilary Swank and Ben Kingsley. It will include performances by Jennifer Lopez, Dulce Pontes, Chaka Khan, Jose Carreras, Alessandro Safina and Joaquín Cortés. Special guests are to include legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong, football hero Cristiano Ronaldo, record-setting balloonist Bertrand Piccard and, of course, the President of the New7Wonders Panel of Experts, former Director-General of UNESCO Prof. Federico Mayor.

The gala show will be choreographed by Canada’s renowned Olympic ceremony veteran Jacques Lemay.

There is still time to vote on the website for your World New Wonder