The seven wonders of the ancient world were remarkable constructions of classical antiquity that amazed travelers and scholars in ancient times. They were selected by Hellenic travelers who wrote about them in poems and guides. The first known list of the seven wonders dates back to the 2nd-1st century BC and included the following structures: the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Although most of the Seven Wonders have been destroyed by natural disaster, predominantly fires and earthquakes, they continued to serve as a source of inspiration for talented artists who skillfully brought the ethereal remnants of Earth’s early civilizations to life. With the aim of providing a remarkable experience for modern culture enthusiasts, Budget Direct decided to present a series of highly realistic 3D renderings, enabling people to virtually explore the grandeur of these ancient structures. Through extensive research, the architectural design duo of Keremcan Kirilmaz and Erdem Batirbek, guided by NeoMam’s art director, alongside motion graphic artists at Fractal Motion, have successfully recreated the wonders in their former glory, offering lifelike depictions of how they would have appeared during their prime.
Prepare yourself for an intriguing voyage through the ancient world’s seven wonders, as we present you with a ticket to embark on this captivating historical adventure. Get ready to fasten your seatbelts and delve into the realms of wonder and amazement!
Colossus of Rhodes
The Colossus of Rhodes was a massive statue of the Greek sun-god Helios, built in the city of Rhodes by the sculptor Chares of Lindos in the 3rd century BCE as a symbol of the city’s victory over an invading Cypriot army. The statue stood about 33 meters (108 feet) tall, and was made of bronze plates attached to an iron framework. It was located near the entrance of the harbour, and its 49ft marble pedestals allowed ships to pass between his legs – albeit this is questioned by some sources. The Colossus collapsed after an earthquake in 226 BCE, just decades after it was completed. Its remains, which were so impressive that many traveled to see them, were eventually sold as scrap metal by Arab invaders in 654 CE.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were one of the ancient wonders that amazed the world with their beauty and engineering. According to some sources, they were built by King Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife Amytis, who missed the green hills of her homeland. Other sources debate whether they existed in real life or just in a writer’s imagination. The gardens were said to be a series of terraces, supported by vaults and columns, and filled with all kinds of plants and trees. They were watered by a complex system of pumps, canals, and reservoirs, drawing water from the nearby Euphrates River. The gardens were a symbol of the king’s power and love, and a marvel of human ingenuity and artistry.
Lighthouse of Alexandria
Believed to be the first lighthouse in the world, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was a remarkable ancient structure that served as a guide for sailors entering the harbor of Alexandria, Egypt. Built by the Ptolemaic Kingdom in the 3rd century BC, it was one of the tallest man-made structures at the time, reaching a height of more than 100 meters (330 ft). The lighthouse had three sections: a square base, an octagonal middle, and a cylindrical top, where a fire burned at night. Some sources say that it was topped by a statue of Alexander the Great or Ptolemy I Soter, the founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty. The lighthouse was damaged by several earthquakes and finally collapsed in the 14th century. Its ruins were used to build a fort by the Mamluk sultan Qaitbay in 1477. In 1994, some remains of the lighthouse were discovered underwater by a team of French archaeologists.
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was a magnificent tomb built for Mausolus, a Persian satrap and ruler of Caria, and his sister-wife Artemisia II in the 4th century BC. It was located in their capital city, Halicarnassus, which is now Bodrum in Turkey, and was designed by famous Greek architects and artists. The mausoleum was about 45 meters high, with a square base and a pyramid-shaped roof topped by a four-horse chariot. Admired for its beauty and grandeur, the monument was destroyed by earthquakes over time, and its stones were reused for other buildings. Some fragments of its sculptures are preserved in the British Museum.
Statue of Zeus
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was one of the most impressive works of art in the ancient world. It was made by the famous sculptor Phidias, who also created the statue of Athena in the Parthenon. The statue showed Zeus, the king of the gods, sitting on a throne in his temple at Olympia, where the Olympic Games were held. The statue was about 12 meters tall and covered with gold and ivory. Zeus held a small statue of Nike, the goddess of victory, in his right hand and a scepter with an eagle on it in his left hand. The throne was decorated with scenes from Greek mythology and had a painted screen behind it. Unfortunately, the statue has not stood the test of time either. Its wooden frame and cedar throne were destroyed by fire in 426CE, while its rich gold, ivory, ebony decorations and precious stones were presumably stolen.
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the most amazing buildings in the ancient world. It was built in honor of the goddess of hunting and nature, who was very popular in this city. The temple was huge, much bigger than other Greek temples, and it had beautiful sculptures and decorations. Admired by people from all over, it was sadly destroyed several times by fire, war, and vandalism, and today only the foundations and column remain.
Great Pyramid of Giza
Alright, this one is an exception, as it still stands today – albeit not in its original grandeur. It wasn’t until the 19th century that mankind achieved the remarkable feat of constructing a building taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza, which held the title of the world’s tallest man-made structure for over four thousand years. This monumental pyramid, standing at an impressive height of 147 meters (481 ft), was erected on a vast area of 13 acres. Built using 2.3 million stone blocks weighing between 2.5-15 tons, it served as a magnificent tomb for the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu and was completed in the year 2560 BCE.