The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World are a list of extraordinary works from the Hellenistic world. Greek travelers and writers mentioned them as must-see stops, since they represented the pinnacle of architecture, art, and human ingenuity.
That’s why they still fascinate today—and here we’ll tell you about them. Note: these are not the New 7 Wonders, but the ancient ones, those associated with Greek authors and the classical tradition…
Although the 7 wonders vary depending on Greek authors, the most widely accepted list today is:
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
The Lighthouse of Alexandria
Below you’ll find what you need to know before you start packing your bags.
What happened to the 7 wonders? Do any still exist? Where were they?
Here’s a table summarizing each site’s ancient location, present-day country, current status, and what happened—plus which wonder still stands:
Wonder | Ancient location | Present-day country | Current status | What happened? |
Great Pyramid of Giza | Giza (near Memphis) | Egypt | Still standing | Preserved (loss of original casing). |
Hanging Gardens of Babylon | Babylon (Mesopotamia) | Iraq | Debated | No conclusive proof; their existence is disputed. |
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus | Ephesus | Türkiye | Ruins | Arson in 356 BCE. |
Statue of Zeus at Olympia | Olympia | Greece | Disappeared | Lost in Late Antiquity; associated with fire and/or relocation. |
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus | Halicarnassus | Türkiye | Ruins | Deteriorated due to earthquakes; later dismantled for building stone. |
Colossus of Rhodes | Rhodes | Greece | Destroyed | Felled by an earthquake and never rebuilt. |
Lighthouse of Alexandria | Island of Pharos (Alexandria) | Egypt | Disappeared | Struck by several earthquakes and collapsed progressively. |
If you’re planning to travel the world, Giza is a destination where you can still see an Ancient World wonder. Don’t hesitate to visit.
The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World remain powerful symbols, even though almost all disappeared over the centuries:
The only Ancient World wonder still standing.
What it was: A monumental funerary complex built for a pharaoh of Ancient Egypt.
Where it was: On the Giza Plateau, near present-day Cairo, Egypt.
Why it impressed: Its scale and construction precision were extraordinary for its time. For centuries it seemed almost impossible to imagine without advanced engineering.
What happened: It didn’t vanish, but it lost part of its original casing and has weathered over the centuries.
What remains today: The main structure survives and can be visited.
The wonder whose very existence raises the most doubts.
What it was: Terraced gardens conceived as a monumental fusion of vegetation and architecture.
Where it was: Babylon, in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq).
Why it impressed: The idea of a man-made, elevated oasis and possible hydraulic engineering.
What happened: According to tradition, they disappeared after the fall of Babylon (believed not to have lasted beyond 126 BCE).
What remains today: No confirmed remains; their existence is debated.
For centuries, Ephesus drew travelers and merchants—and this temple was its great emblem.
What it was: A large temple dedicated to Artemis, considered among the most important sanctuaries of the ancient world.
Where it was: In Ephesus (modern Türkiye).
Why it impressed: Its size, decorative richness, and prestige in antiquity.
What happened: Destroyed and rebuilt in different periods until it was ultimately razed and dismantled over time.
What remains today: Ruins and archaeological remains.
A gigantic Zeus in the heart of Olympia—one of the most awe-inspiring images of the ancient world.
What it was: A colossal statue of Zeus, famous for its materials and detail.
Where it was: In Olympia (Greece), inside the temple dedicated to Zeus.
Why it impressed: Its overwhelming visual impact, designed to awe anyone who saw it.
What happened: Its trail was lost over time. It’s believed to have been relocated and ultimately destroyed, possibly by fire.
What remains today: Nothing material survives; only accounts and historical mentions.
Its name endured: since then, “mausoleum” has come to mean any monumental tomb.
What it was: A monumental tomb built for a ruler, famed for combining large-scale architecture and sculpture.
Where it was: In Halicarnassus, today Bodrum (Türkiye).
Why it impressed: The blend of architecture and sculpture on a grand scale.
What happened: Earthquakes damaged it; later it was dismantled and its materials reused.
What remains today: Remnants and pieces housed in museums.
One of the most monumental works of its time and the pride of Rhodes.
What it was: A colossal statue associated with the harbor of Rhodes, created as a symbol of pride and power.
Where it was: In Rhodes (Greece).
Why it impressed: It was among the largest statues of the ancient world.
What happened: An earthquake toppled it and it was never rebuilt. The remains disappeared over time.
What remains today: No verifiable remains standing.
For centuries, the Lighthouse of Alexandria guided ships arriving at the city.
What it was: A monumental lighthouse built to guide navigation and protect harbor access.
Where it was: On the island of Pharos, Alexandria (Egypt).
Why it impressed: Its height, utility, and design—technology put at the service of the sea.
What happened: Repeated earthquakes weakened it until it collapsed; some stones were reused.
What remains today: It does not survive, but there are historical descriptions and submerged archaeological remains associated with the site.
If you’re itching to visit ruins and archaeological sites? Check out these ideas for places to travel that many people dream of visiting.
The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World emerged from writings by Greek travelers and authors of the Hellenistic period. It’s a selection with a Greek/Mediterranean lens that varies by author and era.
Over time, one version became the most repeated—and that’s what we now call the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World.
Why seven?
Because of a Greek tradition in which the number 7 was considered symbolic and associated with ideas of perfection, balance, and completeness.
Most of the Ancient World wonders were lost due to a combination of causes repeated over the centuries:
Earthquakes, especially in seismically active Mediterranean zones.
Fires/looting during conflicts and conquests.
Religious and political changes that led to many monuments losing protection.
Reuse of materials, where stones and columns were quarried for new construction.
If visiting ruins and archaeological sites inspires you, check these travel tips to plan with less stress and fewer hiccups.
The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World offer a window into what one civilization deemed extraordinary. And although only one still stands, their impact lives on—not only in stories and ruins, but also in the imagination of anyone who wonders what the world once looked like.
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The only surviving Ancient World wonder is the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The others disappeared due to earthquakes, fires, looting, and the passage of time.
They were in the Mediterranean and Near Eastern world: Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Asia Minor, as well as Greece and the island of Rhodes. Today, these correspond to Egypt, Iraq, Türkiye, and Greece.
Ancient sources describe them, but there’s no conclusive evidence confirming their exact location—or even their existence as commonly told. That’s why this wonder is the most debated and remains a mystery.
The ancient wonders come from lists by Greek authors in the Hellenistic world. The New 7 Wonders are a modern selection chosen by vote, featuring monuments from different eras and continents.
Sources:
Great Pyramid of Giza, the only one still standing
Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the most debated
Los países tienen fronteras. Tus finanzas, ya no.
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