Quick Answer
No, the Eiffel Tower is not officially considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were chosen in antiquity to represent incredible feats of architecture and engineering in the ancient world. The Eiffel Tower, built in the late 19th century, does not meet the criteria to be named as one of the ancient wonders. However, the Eiffel Tower is often referred to informally as a “modern wonder of the world” due to its immense popularity, architectural significance, and landmark status. But it has not been officially designated as one of the Seven Wonders.
What are the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are seven monumental constructions built between the 3rd century BC and the 3rd century AD in the ancient Mediterranean and Middle East. The list of ancient wonders consists of:
- Great Pyramid of Giza
- Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- Statue of Zeus at Olympia
- Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
- Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
- Colossus of Rhodes
- Lighthouse of Alexandria
The only wonder that exists today is the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The other wonders were destroyed over time by natural disasters like earthquakes and fires, or acts of war.
The ancient wonders list was compiled by Greek historians and is meant to highlight the most impressive man-made structures and monuments in the ancient Mediterranean and Middle East. The list remained unchanged for over 2,000 years.
When and why was the Eiffel Tower built?
The Eiffel Tower was designed and built by Gustave Eiffel and his company for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris, France. It was built as the entrance archway to the World’s Fair and was meant to demonstrate France’s industrial prowess to the world.
Construction started in 1887 and was completed in just over two years, with the grand opening on March 31, 1889. The tower stands 1,063 feet (324 meters) tall and was the tallest man-made structure in the world for 41 years until the construction of the Chrysler Building in New York in 1930.
The original purpose of the tower was purely for the World’s Fair, but its unprecedented height and innovative design made it an instant icon of Paris. Despite some initial criticism from the public over its unconventional design, it became a sensational success during the fair and was open to the public after the fair ended. It has stood as a global landmark ever since.
What makes the Eiffel Tower significant?
While not an officially designated “Wonder of the World,” the Eiffel Tower is regarded as an engineering wonder and known globally as an iconic monument due to the following reasons:
- At the time it was built, its height of 1,063 feet made it the tallest structure in the world for over 40 years. This was a significant architectural achievement in the late 19th century.
- Gustave Eiffel incorporated innovative design elements like a lattice wrought iron truss structure that allows the tower to withstand high winds. This pioneering use of metal structures influenced skyscrapers and large monuments built afterwards.
- It was built remarkably fast – just over two years – which was unprecedented for such a large structure at the time. Eiffel’s meticulous design planning was critical to achieving this.
- It has become the most visited paid monument in the world, with over 250 million visitors since its opening. Its popularity endures as a must-see destination.
- The tower has been featured extensively in films, books, paintings, and other media as the iconic symbol of Paris and France. This has cemented its status in worldwide pop culture.
- The distinctive tower design stands out in the Paris skyline and has become integral to the identity of the city. It provides a sense of place and local pride.
While not matching the ancient wonders in size or grandeur, the Eiffel Tower is regarded by many as a wonder of the modern world for its groundbreaking design, lasting public appeal, and iconic status. However, it does not have official designation as one of the Seven Wonders.
How are the Seven Wonders chosen?
The selection process for the ancient wonders list was informal. Greek scholar Antipater of Sidon named the original seven wonders in 2nd century BC by compiling well-known lists of exceptional constructions in the ancient world. The only guideline was that the structures had to be “must-see” monuments for ancient travelers, so the list highlighted the most impressive works of art and architecture at sites like Giza, Ephesus, Halicarnassus and Rhodes.
There is no formal selection committee today that designates official new additions to the Seven Wonders of the World list. However, there have been several unofficial polls and votes over the years that have highlighted “New” Wonders of the World or “Modern” Wonders of the World. For example:
- In 2007, the New 7 Wonders Foundation organized a global vote of over 100 million people to select the New 7 Wonders of the World from a list of 21 preselected sites from around the world. The Great Wall of China was the only ancient wonder to be named on this new list.
- Multiple online polls lists over the decades have cited the Eiffel Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, Taj Mahal, Panama Canal, and other modern marvels as “Wonders of the Modern World.” But there is no single definitive list.
While these polls bring public attention to remarkable modern sites and monuments across the globe, there is no formal endorsement or designation process to officially name new Wonders of the World. The only sanctioned list remains the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Does the Eiffel Tower deserve to be a Wonder of the World?
There is certainly a strong argument that the Eiffel Tower deserves to be considered one of the Wonders of the Modern World:
- It was a groundbreaking architectural achievement for its time and exhibited innovative structural design.
- The tower showcased masterful industrial ironwork and inspired future skyscrapers.
- It has been the most visited paid monument for decades, demonstrating major cultural influence.
- Instantly recognizable as Paris’s symbolic landmark, it provides a sense of place.
- Featured prominently in films and media, it is engrained in pop culture worldwide.
As an iconic representation of Paris that is synonymous with the city itself in people’s minds, the Eiffel Tower can be considered as integral to the identity and skyline of Paris as the Colosseum is to Rome or the Parthenon is to Athens.
While opinions can differ on which modern sites best represent wonders of engineering, architecture, and influence, the Eiffel Tower has a strong claim to being a “Modern Wonder of the World” even if it has not been officially designated as such.
How does the Eiffel Tower compare to other modern landmarks?
| Landmark | Year Built | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Eiffel Tower | 1889 |
|
| Empire State Building | 1931 |
|
| Golden Gate Bridge | 1937 |
|
| CN Tower | 1976 |
|
When compared to other modern architectural marvels and landmarks, the Eiffel Tower stands out as an enduring symbol of cultural identity, innovation in construction, and influence in pop culture worldwide. The Eiffel Tower was a pioneer at its time of construction in the late 19th century and remains a beloved global icon over 130 years later. For these reasons, it can arguably be considered a “Wonder of the Modern World” along with the other landmarks that have left major impacts in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Conclusion
In summary, while the Eiffel Tower is not officially designated as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it has a strong claim to being an unofficial “Modern Wonder” based on:
- Its groundbreaking structural design and height record upon completion in 1889
- Becoming the most visited paid monument in the world
- Achieving global renown and iconic status as a symbol of Paris
- Influencing pop culture through extensive visibility in media
No formal system exists for naming new wonders, but popular polls and opinion have often grouped the Eiffel Tower among the most admirable modern sites of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries that exemplify architectural prowess and cultural significance. While not on par with the ancient wonders in size, the Eiffel Tower can be considered a modern engineering marvel in its design and a wonder of the world in its enduring cultural impact.