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 News from Around the Americas | June 2005 
Chichen Itza Competing to be a World Wonder
 El Universal
| | The ancient Mayan temple city flourished between 800 and 1200 A.D. and was the locus of political, religious and military power in the Yucatan. |
The pyramids of Chichen Itza stand near the top of a list of world treasures now competing to be named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World by a growing community of Internet users.
To date, more than 18 million voters have logged on to choose from a variety of buildings and monuments around the world, ranging from the Great Wall of China to Italy's Tower of Pisa.
The massive campaign was started by Swiss philanthropist Bernard Weber with the hope reviving the concept of the seven worldwide wonders.
At the end of this year, the list of more than 100 sites will be narrowed down to the most popular 21 choices. Voting will then continue in 2006 to further narrow the list to seven candidates, which will be announced on New Year's Day in 2007. The idea is to produce a group of wonders that will stand alongside the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, which were selected by Philon of Byzantium in 200 B.C.
As of last week, Chichen Itza was in fifth place between the Colosseum in Rome and the statues on Easter Island, off the coast of Chile Teotihuacan stood in 51st place. Other frontrunners are the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal in India.
In addition, the organization is fielding many requests for new candidates. Over the past month, entries such as the Panama Canal, the Salt Cathedral in Colombia, and the Estadio Centenario in Uruguay have rolled in, according to the website.
In Mexico, Yucatan's Pyramids of Chichen Itza has been drawing tremendous attention. The ancient Mayan temple city flourished between 800 and 1200 A.D. and was the locus of political, religious and military power in the Yucatan. Its sixsquare-site boasts the temple of Chac Mol, the Playing Field of Prisoners, and the famed pyramid of Kukulkan, all three of which celebrate innovative architecture and composition. In 1988, the archeological site was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage list.
Kukulkan, considered of the greatest Mayan temples, has become a major attraction for locals and tourists alike during the fall and spring equinoxes. During the fall equinox, a shadow of triangles is produced along the exterior of the temple, creating the image of diamondbacked rattlesnake falling from the sky and writhing its way downward.
In December, a panel of international members including its president, the former head of UNESCO Federico Mayor Zaragoza will review and assemble the most popular candidates into a shortlist. Also on the panel are Australian architect Harry Seidler, as well as Cesar Pelli, architect of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.
"This decision is so important," said Weber, on his website, who's been spearheading the initiative for five years. "The world is going to make its choice and we cannot take the risk that any national treasures are denied a place on the list . . . the response so far has been enormous."
Weber developed the campaign through the Global New 7 Wonders project in 2001, which he established to promote awareness of the earth's cultural legacy. He financed the initial stages of the plan, and was later supported by a number of patrons. Half the revenue raised by the project will be put toward restoration efforts worldwide, as well as a mission to recreate the Bamiyan Buddha in Afghanistan.
To cast a vote, users must first call to receive a personal code. That code must then be entered on the website, www.newsevenwonders.com, to complete the vote. |
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