“Rediscovering Iconic Landmarks in New Ways”

Architecture has always been a way to create lasting legacies. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are prime examples of this. Although only one—the Great Pyramid of Giza—still stands today, the stories behind these ancient wonders remain fascinating. Expedia has revisited these stories in a series of illustrations. Let’s take a look at these amazing landmarks:

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Built by King Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife, Amytis, who missed her green homeland, the Hanging Gardens were described as a lush, botanical paradise with exotic plants and tall stone columns. However, the exact location has never been found, leading some to wonder if they really existed.

Colossus of Rhodes

Erected in 280 BC to celebrate Rhodes’ victory over Cyprus, this giant statue of the Greek god Helios stood 33 meters tall. Made of bronze plates over an iron framework, it was similar to the Statue of Liberty. An earthquake destroyed it in 226 BC, and it was never rebuilt.

Great Pyramid of Giza

The only Ancient Wonder still standing, the Great Pyramid of Giza, is an iconic symbol of Egypt. Built as a tomb around 2560 BC, it was the tallest man-made structure on earth for over 3,800 years until Lincoln Cathedral surpassed it in 1311 AD.

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

This tomb was built for Mausolus, ruler of Caria, and his sister-wife Artemisia II around 350 BC in what is now Bodrum, Turkey. Made of marble and decorated with statues, it was destroyed by earthquakes between the 12th and 15th centuries. The word ‘mausoleum’ now refers to any above-ground tomb.