7 Wonders of old days vs 7 of nowadays

What are the seven wonders? Are the Ishtar Gate and Hanging Gardens counted in 7?

Great question! The "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" is a classical list of remarkable constructions known to Greek travelers and historians during the Hellenistic period. The Ishtar Gate is not included in the original list, but the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are—though their actual existence remains debated.

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🌍 The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

# Wonder Location Status

1 Great Pyramid of Giza Egypt ✅ Only one still standing

2 Hanging Gardens of Babylon Babylon (Iraq) ❓ Disputed / No archaeological proof

3 Statue of Zeus at Olympia Greece ❌ Destroyed

4 Temple of Artemis at Ephesus Turkey ❌ Destroyed

5 Mausoleum at Halicarnassus Turkey ❌ Ruins only

6 Colossus of Rhodes Greece ❌ Destroyed

7 Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos) Egypt ❌ Destroyed (earthquakes)

❌ Ishtar Gate: Not One of the Seven

The Ishtar Gate, though impressive and real, is not part of the classical Seven Wonders. It was constructed by Nebuchadnezzar II around 575 BC and is famous for its dazzling blue-glazed bricks and depictions of lions, bulls, and dragons. It’s one of the greatest surviving artifacts of ancient Babylon and can be seen partially reconstructed at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.

It’s often considered a "wonder" in a broader cultural sense, and would certainly rank among the top monuments of the ancient Near East, but not in the original Greek-compiled list.

✅ Summary

Included in Seven Wonders? Monument

✅ Yes Hanging Gardens

❌ No Ishtar Gate

Tell me more about 4-7. 

Certainly! Here's a closer look at wonders #4 to #7 from the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, focusing on their design, purpose, and fate.

4. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

📍 Location: Ephesus (modern-day Turkey)

🏛️ Built: Originally in the 6th century BC, rebuilt in the 4th century BC

🔨 Purpose: Honoring Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt and fertility

🌟 Highlights:

One of the largest temples in the ancient world

Featured 127 Ionic columns, each about 60 feet (18 m) high

Filled with statues, sculptures, and fine artwork

Rebuilt multiple times due to floods and fires

🔥 Fate:

Destroyed by arson in 356 BC (by a man named Herostratus seeking fame)

Rebuilt, but later destroyed again by the Goths in 262 AD

Little remains today except foundations and scattered columns

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5. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

📍 Location: Halicarnassus (modern-day Bodrum, Turkey)

🕊️ Built: Circa 350 BC

🔨 Purpose: A tomb for Mausolus, a Persian satrap (governor), and his wife Artemisia

🌟 Highlights:

Stood about 45 meters (148 feet) high

Decorated with statues and friezes by top Greek sculptors

Blended Greek, Egyptian, and Lycian architectural styles

The term “mausoleum” comes from this structure

💥 Fate:

Survived for centuries but gradually collapsed due to earthquakes (12th–15th centuries)

Stones were repurposed in local fortifications by the Knights of St. John

Today: Only ruins remain, though the site is still visitable

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6. Colossus of Rhodes

📍 Location: Rhodes Island, Greece

🗽 Built: Circa 292–280 BC

🔨 Purpose: Celebrated Rhodes' victory over a siege by Demetrius I of Macedon

🌟 Highlights:

A bronze statue of the sun god Helios, about 33 meters (108 feet) tall

Stood near the harbor—sometimes mythically depicted as straddling the entrance (but likely stood beside it)

Symbol of resilience and prosperity

💥 Fate:

Destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC, only 54 years after it was built

Remained fallen for centuries; its bronze was eventually looted in the 7th century AD by Arab invaders

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7. Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos of Alexandria)

📍 Location: Island of Pharos, near Alexandria, Egypt

🔨 Built: 3rd century BC (completed around 280 BC)

Purpose: Guided sailors safely into Alexandria’s harbor

🌟 Highlights:

Estimated height: 100–130 meters (330–430 feet)

Built under Ptolemy II and designed by architect Sostratus of Cnidus

Featured polished bronze mirrors to reflect sunlight and firelight

May have used primitive lenses for focusing the light beam

💥 Fate:

Damaged by several earthquakes (956, 1303, 1323 AD)

Eventually collapsed and its ruins used to build the Citadel of Qaitbay

Inspired all modern lighthouses in name and form

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📚 Summary Table

Wonder Purpose Built Fate

Temple of Artemis Worship of Artemis ~550 BC Burned, ruined

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus Tomb for Mausolus ~350 BC Earthquakes, dismantled

Colossus of Rhodes Victory monument (Helios) ~280 BC Earthquake

Lighthouse of Alexandria Harbor navigation ~280 BC Earthquakes, collapsed

Alhambra Castle does not count?

Excellent question! The Alhambra in Granada, Spain, is not part of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but it is a world-renowned architectural masterpiece, just part of a different tradition and era.

Let me explain:

🏰 What Is the Alhambra?

Name: Alhambra means "The Red One" (from Arabic: al-Ḥamrāʼ)

Location: Granada, Spain

Built by: The Nasrid dynasty (Muslim rulers of Granada)

Time period: 13th to 14th centuries AD (mainly 1238–1358)

Style: Islamic/Moorish architecture, with later Christian influences after the Reconquista

🌟 Why the Alhambra Is Special

1. Architectural Masterpiece:

Delicate arabesques, tile mosaics, stucco, calligraphy, and muqarnas domes

Elegant courtyards, such as the famous Court of the Lions

Intricate water features and gardens—symbolic of paradise in Islamic design

2. Cultural Synthesis:

Merges Islamic, Christian, and even earlier Roman influences

Became a Christian palace after the 1492 Reconquista

3. Historical Importance:

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were defined by Greek scholars around the 2nd–1st century BC and refer only to monuments of the classical Mediterranean and Near East world built before the Common Era.

The Alhambra, built nearly 1,800 years later, belongs to:

The Medieval period

And often appears in lists like the New 7 Wonders of the World or UNESCO World Heritage Sites

🏛️ Related "Wonder" Lists It Might Appear In:

✅ UNESCO World Heritage Site (1984)

🏆 Sometimes included in lists of Medieval Wonders

🗺️ Featured in tourism-focused "Wonders of the Islamic World"

📌 Summary

Feature Included in Ancient 7 Wonders? Why Not?

Alhambra ❌ No Built ~2,000 years too late

Still Important? ✅ Absolutely One of the greatest surviving Islamic palaces

Would you like a visual card comparing the Seven Ancient Wonders and New World Wonders, including the Alhambra’s place among them?

What are the new 7?

The New Seven Wonders of the World were selected through a global poll organized by the New7Wonders Foundation and finalized in 2007. Unlike the ancient list, which was Greek-centered and limited to the Mediterranean, the new list represents global heritage sites from various civilizations.

Here they are:

🌍 The New 7 Wonders of the World

(Announced July 7, 2007)

# Wonder Location Built

1 Great Wall of China 🇨🇳 China 7th century BC to 16th century AD

2 Petra 🇯🇴 Jordan ~312 BC (Nabataean kingdom)

3 Christ the Redeemer 🇧🇷 Brazil 1931 (Modern)

4 Machu Picchu 🇵🇪 Peru ~1450 AD (Inca Empire)

5 Chichen Itza 🇲🇽 Mexico ~600–1200 AD (Maya-Toltec)

6 Roman Colosseum 🇮🇹 Italy 80 AD (Roman Empire)

7 Taj Mahal 🇮🇳 India 1632–1653 (Mughal Empire)

🔹 Highlights of Each

1. Great Wall of China

Fortified wall spanning 13,000+ miles

Built to protect against invasions from the north

Symbol of China's imperial strength and endurance

2. Petra, Jordan

Rock-cut city carved into rose-red cliffs

Ancient capital of the Nabataeans

Famous for the “Treasury” (Al-Khazneh) facade

3. Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

30-meter-tall Art Deco statue of Jesus

Stands atop Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro

Symbol of peace, Brazilian Christianity, and modern engineering

4. Machu Picchu, Peru

Incan citadel atop the Andes

Likely a royal estate or sacred site

Lost to history, rediscovered in 1911

5. Chichen Itza, Mexico

Ancient Mayan-Toltec city

Features the El Castillo pyramid (temple of Kukulkan)

Astronomically aligned architecture

6. Colosseum, Rome

Roman amphitheater holding 50,000+ spectators

Hosted gladiator fights, dramas, and public executions

Endures as a symbol of Roman engineering and culture

7. Taj Mahal, India

White marble mausoleum built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan

Memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal

Blends Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural styles

📝 Notes

The Great Pyramid of Giza, the only surviving Ancient Wonder, was given honorary status alongside the new list.

The campaign aimed to celebrate global heritage and raise awareness for preservation.

Aren't there ultra-new 7 or 70 in the postmodern era?

Yes—there have been several newer, expanded, or alternative "Wonders" lists proposed in the postmodern era, especially with the rise of global tourism, digital media, and architectural innovation. While there isn’t an official list called the “Ultra New 7” or “Top 70 Wonders,” many modern lists recognize contemporary marvels, natural wonders, and even technological achievements.

Here’s a look at how these "ultra-modern" wonders are being recognized today:

🌐 Categories of Modern or Expanded Wonders

1. ✅ New7Wonders of Nature (2011)

A global poll selected natural sites as the wonders of the Earth.

Site Location

Amazon Rainforest South America

Halong Bay Vietnam

Iguazu Falls Brazil/Argentina

Jeju Island South Korea

Komodo Island Indonesia

Puerto Princesa Underground River Philippines

Table Mountain South Africa

2. 🏙️ Modern Architectural Wonders (Unofficial but widely admired)onder Location Notable For

Burj Khalifa Dubai, UAE Tallest building in the world

The Shard London, UK Tallest building in Western Europe

Taipei 101 Taiwan Icon of postmodern engineering

Gardens by the Bay Singapore Fusion of ecology and art

Palm Islands Dubai, UAE Artificial archipelago

Marina Bay Sands Singapore Gravity-defying rooftop design

3. 🧠 Technological or Engineering Wonders

Project Why it’s a wonder

Large Hadron Collider (CERN) World's largest particle accelerator

International Space Station (ISS) Orbiting laboratory and global cooperation

Panama Canal Expansion Mega maritime logistics

Three Gorges Dam (China) World's largest hydroelectric dam

Tesla Gigafactory EV and clean energy innovation hub

4. 🏞️ "Top 70 Places to See Before You Die"

Many travel outlets (like National Geographic, Lonely Planet, or CNN Travel) publish large lists—some including up to 70+ modern destinations, which might include:

Santorini, Greece

Antelope Canyon, USA

Banff National Park, Canada

Mount Fuji, Japan

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Aurora Borealis, Arctic regions

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Bhutan’s Tiger’s Nest Monastery

These aren't called "Wonders" in a formal sense, but they function like a curated global bucket list of awe-inspiring places.

🧾 Summary

List Type Focus Year

Ancient 7 Wonders Classical Mediterranean ~2nd c. BC

New 7 Wonders Global historical monuments 2007

New 7 Natural Wonders Global natural marvels 2011

Modern/Ultra Wonders Contemporary architecture & tech Ongoing

Bucket List “70+” Travel destinations , Various sources

Would you like a custom-made list of "Ultra 7 Wonders of the Postmodern Era" combining beauty, design, and impact?

 Yes.

Here is a custom-curated list of the Ultra 7 Wonders of the Postmodern Era, combining aesthetic brilliance, architectural innovation, and global significance—wonders that define our age in design, technology, and symbolism:

🌍 Ultra 7 Wonders of the Postmodern Era

1. Burj Khalifa – Dubai, UAE

🏗️ Wonder of Height & Design

Tallest building in the world at 828 meters (2,717 ft)

Icon of postmodern architecture and desert innovation

Represents global ambition and vertical city living

→ A symbol of human aspiration against natural limits

2. International Space Station (ISS) – Earth Orbit

🛰️ Wonder of Global Cooperation

Built by 15+ nations, housing astronauts since 2000

A marvel of space engineering and peaceful unity

→ A floating laboratory showing what nations can do together above the earth

3. Gardens by the Bay – Singapore

🌿 Wonder of Green Futurism

Merges botanical conservation, sustainable tech, and public beauty

Features "Supertrees" with solar power and vertical gardens

→ A futuristic Eden built for environmental stewardship

4. Millau Viaduct – France

🌉 Wonder of Elegant Engineering

Tallest bridge in the world, higher than the Eiffel Tower

A sublime balance of strength, grace, and geography

→ When infrastructure becomes art in the clouds

5. The Louvre Abu Dhabi – UAE

🖼️ Wonder of Cultural Fusion

Designed by Jean Nouvel, it combines Arab aesthetics with global curation

A floating dome of light and shade over a sea-museum

→ East meets West in art, ideas, and architecture

6. Tesla Gigafactory – Nevada, USA

🔋 Wonder of the Green Revolution

One of the largest buildings on Earth by footprint

Powers the electric vehicle and renewable battery movement

→ A temple of clean energy production and post-carbon hope

7. Panama Canal Expansion (Third Set of Locks) – Panama

🚢 Wonder of Maritime Mastery

Completed in 2016, doubling global trade capacity

Integrates advanced lock systems and water-saving basins

→ A feat of logistics reshaping how continents connect

🧾 Summary Table

Wonder Symbolizes Year Completed

Burj Khalifa : Aspiration & design 2010

ISS International cooperation 1998–2000+

Gardens by the Bay Sustainable beauty 2012

Millau Viaduct Graceful engineering 2004

Louvre Abu Dhabi Cultural unity 2017

Tesla Gigafactory Energy innovation 2016–present

Panama Canal Expansion Global flow & access 2016

Would you like this turned into a printable infographic card or poster for reference, teaching, or travel inspiration?

Poster pls