Trifter

1.      Chichen Itza, Mexico

This is a large pre-Columbian structure located in the center of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. It was built by the Mayan civilization and was the focal point of the people during the Late Classic, Terminal Classic and Early Postclassic periods of this civilization. There are many fine buildings on this site featuring different modes of presentation. The three best known of these buildings are the monuments of El Castillo, the Great Ball Court and the Temple of Warriors.  El Castillo is a pyramid with a series of steps leading to the top where the corner of the structure casts the shadow of a plumed snake in the spring and autumn equinoxes.

2.      Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

The statue of Christ the Redeemer is located on the peak of Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca Forest overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It stands 120 feet tall including the pedestal and is 38 feet in width. The idea for the erection of the statue came about in the mid-1860’s and was the brainchild of Fr. Pedro Maris Bloss who requested the funding from Princess Isabel of Spain, but it was denied. The second proposal for the erection of the statue came again in 1921 and this time donations were made to provide the money needed. The statue was designed by a local engineer, Heitor de Silva Costa and the French sculptor, Paul Landowski, handled the creation.

3.      The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China, which was constructed in the 5th and 6th centuries, is 4000 miles in length. It is made of stones and was completed through the hard labor of people who were mostly peasants, prisoners and slaves. The three most visited sections of this wall are in the vicinity of Beijing: The North West Pass, the West Pass and the Pass of Shanhaiguan.

4.      Macchu Picchu, Peru

Macchu Picchu is a pre-Columbian Inca structure located on a mountain ridge situated above the Urubamba Valley in Peru. It was forgotten for centuries until it was discovered by an American historian, Hiram Bingham, in 1921. Since then it has become a popular tourist attraction. It was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and an World Heritage Site in 1983.

5.      Roman Colosseum, Italy

The Roman Colosseum was the largest amphitheatre that was built during the time of the Roman Empire and is the greatest works of Roman architecture still in existence today. It was capable of seating 50,000 spectators watching the games popular at the time with gladiators fighting lions and other wild animals. It is estimated that over a million wild animals were killed in this location. It was also the setting for many forms of entertainment during ancient times, such executions, mock battles and dramas. Although part of the structure lies in ruins, it still stands as an icon of one of the greatest civilizations in history.

6.      Taj Mahal, India

Constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, the Taj Mahal in Agra India is considered to be the best surviving example of Muslim architecture. The domed marble mausoleum was built between 1632 and 1653 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The focus of the structure is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, which is a white marble tomb standing on a square pinth and topped with another marble tomb. The base of this tomb has several different chambers with vaulted archways leading into them. The marble dome over the tomb is an impressive feature, but the finial dome is made completely of gold.

7.      Petra, Jordan

Petra is an significant archaeological site in Jordan that is renowned for its rock cut architecture. It was not made known to the western world until 1812, when it was discovered by a Swiss explorer. Evidence shows that there was settlement here in the early days of the Ancient Egyptian civilization. The dead were buried in the caves on the site.