By Epicure & Culture
With only the Great Pyramids in Giza still standing today, it’s no wonder so few people know of the Seven Ancient World Wonders. The other six are believed to have been destroyed by either fires, earthquakes or looting, and as such archeologists and historians have had to rely mainly on literary representations to get an understanding of their history and design.
Having seen the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus ourselves, we were featured in an article about these world wonders that are steeped in ancient history. Here are a few of them.
Temple Of Artemis At Ephesus
The marble Temple of Artemis dates back to the mid 6th century B.C. and was dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of wilderness and fertility. All that remains today are its columns and base.
It’s a very easy site to get to, with numerous tour operators selling the excursion for about 40 Turkish lira ($14) to enter. The best time to visit Ephesus is spring (April and May) and fall (October and November), as they are the mildest months.
Hanging Gardens Of Babylon
It is thought that Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar built tiered gardens of hanging trees and plants around his palace for his wife. Only parts of the palace and some of the old city walls are still standing today. It is believed to have had an intricate irrigation system to carry water from the river Euphrates to the gardens, in an area that was, and still is, completely arid.
The best way to get to the ruins of ancient Babylon is to take a flight to Al Muthana Airport. From there you can grab a taxi into central Iraq. No entry fee is required to enter the site. The best time to visit the site is in Iraq’s milder months from November to April.
Lighthouse Of Alexandria
Built to guide sailors home around 250 B.C., this Egyptian lighthouse measured between 383 and 450 feet high with a mirror placed at the top to reflect the sunlight during the day and a fire burned at night to give off light. It is believed to have been destroyed by three earthquakes between 956 and 1323. Fort Qaitbey was then built on the same site, and serves as a maritime museum.
Alexandria can be reached by taxi, train, bus or private car and is best visited in the spring months of March to June and the autumn months of September to November. Entrance costs E£25 for adults and E£15 for students.
With so much to discover about ancient civilizations through these sites, but also so much that is shrouded in mystery, it isn’t surprising they are listed as the ancient world wonders.
