In ancient times, the world also had a list of 7 wonders that were rated as the most monumental, beautiful and meaningful. But many buildings of the past were destroyed by natural disasters or humans and no longer exist today.
Digital artist and graphic designer Yevgeny Kazantsev has done a very interesting set of photos, reconstructing the ancient wonders of the world based on historical documents and remnants. Eugene staged these designs with the assumption that the buildings still exist in a modern context. The designer’s project is appreciated for its artistic and historical value and brings viewers back to the past.
1. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon is one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. According to one legend, the Garden was built by King Nebuchadnezzar II (reigned about 605 to 562 BC) next to the palace for his wife, Queen Amitis because she missed the verdant hills of her homeland. . The gardens are described in the history books as extremely elaborate as a multi-storey green hill with terraces.
2. Takkyubin Observatory in Constantinople
Built by Taqi ad-Din Muhammad ibn Maruf in 1577, the Takkubin Constantinople Observatory (Taqi ad-Din) was one of the largest astronomical observatories in the medieval world. However, it did not last long and was demolished in 1580, just 3 years after it was built because it was used not only for astronomy but also for astrology, a form of divination. prohibited by Sharia law.
3. Statue of Zeus on Mount Olympia
The Statue of Zeus on Olympia is a colossal sitting statue of Zeus, the king of the Olympians, about 12 meters high, made by the Greek sculptor Phidias circa 435 BC. The frame of the statue is wooden, decorated with ivory and gold plates.
4. Colossus of Rhodes statue
The Colossus of Rhodes is a statue built to commemorate the liberation of the city of Rhodes (in present-day Greece) from a year-long invasion by Demetrius Poliokret. The tallest ancient statue with a height of about 33 meters is considered one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. However, it did not last long as it was built in 280 BC, lasted 54 years and collapsed in an earthquake in 226 BC. In the 21st century, there have been proposals to build a new Colossus in the harbor of Rhodes, but controversy remains.
5. Ancient City of Athens
Athens is an ancient citadel built on a rocky hill overlooking the city of Athens. The citadel is a complex of huge buildings, the most famous of which is the Parthenon. The Parthenon and other buildings were severely damaged during a Venetian siege in 1687. To this day, only a very few ruins of Athens remain.
6. Tower of Babel
The Tower of Babel is a mythical construction mentioned in the Old Testament book of Genesis. Although many consider the Tower of Babel to be a work of fiction, some scholars have proven it to be real and share many similarities with famous structures in Babylon and Sumer.
7. The Great Sphinx of Giza
It is believed that the Great Sphinx at Giza was built by the Egyptians of the Old Kingdom during the reign of Khafre (circa 2558–2532 BC). The statue is made of limestone and carved in stone. With a length of 73 meters from foot to tail and a height of 20 meters, it is the oldest known monumental sculpture in Egypt and one of the most famous worldwide.
8. Great Temple in Petra
The Great Temple at Petra is a huge complex built around the first century AD during the rule of the Nabatean king Aretus IV. It is unclear whether the building was intended for religious or administrative purposes. The vast complex of buildings covers an area of about 7,556 square meters and is well preserved compared to the other monuments on this list.
9. Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis is dedicated to Artemis (the Roman equivalent of Diana), the Greek goddess of hunting, the moon and virginity, sister of Apollo. The temple located at Ephesus was completely rebuilt twice: once after a flood and another after an arson attack. By AD 401, it was completely destroyed, leaving only the fragments and foundations of the last temple.
10. Tomb of Halicarnassus
Built between 353 and 350 BC, the Tomb at Halicarnassus is the mausoleum of the Anatolian ruler of Caria Mavsol and his wife Artemisia II. The mausoleum structure is about 45 meters high and each side is decorated with reliefs created by famous Greek sculptors.
