Introduction
The seven wonders of the world are architectural milestones in history that are considered to be of great importance. These wonders display the ingenuity, creativity and hard work of the workers of those times. It also serves to tell us the stories of people of those times and how they lived. It is important for children to learn about these wonders so that it gives them a broader perspective of the world and also will serve to influence their curiosity about the history of the world and their own countries. We want to inspire children to explore, research and read more. Children who display curiosity in their surroundings and in books will certainly improve their IQ and understanding of the world. Here are some important architectural delights Learner Circle wants their kids to learn about:
The Colosseum
The Colosseum was built during the reign of the Flavian emperors and is the largest amphitheater in the world. The construction began sometime between C.E 70 and 72 when emperor Vespasian was in reign. It took a decade to complete and was built by thousands of Jewish slaves. The Colosseum is a massive structure that towers four stories high and includes 80 entrances to the amphitheater. The Colosseum can hold more than 50,000 spectators at its maximum capacity. The Colosseum opened with great celebrations and Emperor Titus hosted a 100 days of gladiator games. The gladiator games stopped in 435 AD. It is estimated that over 400,000 people and millions of animals died during the time that the games took place. Besides games, the Colosseum also hosted public executions, dramas, and re-enactments. A series of earthquakes damaged the structure and this time it suffered from neglect. In the 1990s, a restoration project began, and the Colosseum regained some of its past glory. Today, millions of tourists visit every year to gaze at this wonder of the world.
Read this article to know why learning should be a life-long journey: https://www.learnercircle.in/post/empowering-your-child-to-learn
Machu Pichhu
Somewhere in Northwest Peru, in the Andes Mountains lies the site of the ancient Inca ruins known as Machu Picchu. It seems to be perched in a narrow saddle between two peaks. It is one of the few pre- Columbian ruins found nearly intact and in 1983 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. This interesting site was discovered only in 1911 by Professor Hiram Bingham from Yale University. He was seeking the site he named as ``the lost city of Incas” where the last Inca rulers led a rebellion against Spanish rule until 1572. The dwellings at Machu Picchu were probably built and occupied from the mid-15th to the early or mid-16th century. Its construction style indicates that it’s a palace complex of the rule of Inca Yupanqui who reigned at that time. The preservation of the site has been considered remarkable. The general layout is surrounded by dozens of stepped agricultural terraces. More than 7000 feet above sea level, it is one of most popular destinations in Peru. It was declared as one of the seven wonders of the world in 2007. If you're planning to visit, the Inca trail is infamous and the lesser-known Inca Quarry trail will lead you to some interesting places.
The Great Wall of China:
The Great Wall of China is estimated to be about 5,500 miles long. The construction of this iconic structure began in the 7th century BCE, and this continued for two millennia. Even though the wall is lengthy and was initially built to provide for actual security, it did not turn out effective in preventing raids and invasions. It is the longest man-made structure in the world and the longest feat of human engineering. This great wall is said to about 2,700 years old and attracts about 50 million visitors every year. More than 100,000 workers were recruited for this projects and it spans over 15 regions across Northern China.
Learning about the Wonders of the World is fun, read on here to find out why learning should be fun for kids : https://www.learnercircle.in/post/a-historical-study-on-extra-curricular-activities-ea-the-beginning
Petra
During Biblical times, it is said that Moses struck a rock nestled among sandstone mountains and cliffs, this rock gushed forth water one miraculous evening. This spot is amongst the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. It’s in a remote valley and history says an Arab tribe pronounced it as their capital developing it into an important trade center for spices. These tribes, who were skilled carvers, eventually over the years, chiseled temples, tombs, dwellings into the sandstone, which is said to change color according to the position of the sun. Ahead of their times, this tribe also was responsible for constructing a water system that encouraged farming and gardening. At its peak, Petra is said to have had about a population of 30,000. Gradually due to changes in the economy and shifts in trade routes, Petra begins to decline and a major earthquake in 363 CE and another tremor in 551 CE caused this beautiful city to be abandoned. It was largely ignored for many centuries until the late 20th century.
Christ the Redeemer
Atop Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro stands the beautiful colossal statue of Jesus, known as Christ the Redeemer. It was built by some Brazilians after World War I, when a ‘rush of godlessness’ seemed to have gripped the people. The construction took about 5 years after it began in 1926. The monument stands 98 feet tall, excluding the base which is about 26 feet high. Its outstretched arms span 92 feet. Approximately six million tiles cover this beauty, and it is deemed to have been built with reinforced concrete. It is said to be the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world and has withstood the lightning quite often except for 2014, when the tip of Jesus’s right thumb got damaged in a storm.
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is perhaps one the finest examples of Mughal architecture and attracts millions of tourists to Agra, India, every years. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, this marble wonder was a tribute to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child in 1631. The construction of this great edifice took a historical 22 years and required 22,000 workers with to finish this beauty. It holds with pride a magnificent garden with a reflecting pool, which adds to its beauty two-fold. The white marble is said to feature semi-precious stone in floral and geometric patterns. It has a huge majestic central dome that is surrounded by four smaller domes.
Chichén Itzá
A beautiful city on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Chichen Itza flourished in the 9th and 10th centuries CE. Under the influence of the Mayan tribe many monuments and temples were built. The most notable is the El Castillo which is the stepped pyramid, a legacy that reflects the amazing astronomical abilities of the Mayan tribe. The structure features 365 steps, which is the number of days in the solar year. An interesting fact about this monument is that during the Spring and autumnal equinoxes, the setting sun drapes its shadows on the pyramid. These shadows appear like a serpent slithering down the north stairway and to add to the mystique is that at the base of the pyramid is a stone snake head. It hosts the largest sporting field known as tlachtli in the Americas.
Conclusion
Learner Circle has several courses that encourage the culture of life-long learning in children. Our courses have a fun and engaging curriculum that foster cognitive thinking, critical thinking and early-age development. We always encourage parents to embark on a consistent journey of learning with kids by reading to them, encouraging them to write more often and most importantly intentionally engaging in play. At Learner Circle we teach children to play and learn. Visit our website for more details :
Comments