"The Great Wall of China"
The Great Wall of China is one of the most significant ancient architectural structures in the world. It is a chain of fortifications in the north of the country, built to protect against warlike nomads and to mark the state’s border. Nowadays, the focus has shifted—the Great Wall itself has become a protected national monument and has been included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Construction of the Great Wall began in the 3rd century BCE and continued for nearly two thousand years, until 1644. Initially, small, disjointed kingdoms built defensive barriers along their borders. However, when Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified these principalities into a single empire between 230 and 221 BCE, he ordered the construction of a continuous wall along the empire’s northern border. One million people—20% of China’s population at the time—were involved in the construction. The main challenge was that the wall had to be built across uneven terrain, following the natural landscape, including all its hills and valleys. On the other hand, this very feature made the Great Wall of China a truly unique structure.
First and foremost, its scale is truly astonishing: the wall stretches nearly 9,000 kilometers, and with all its branches, it exceeds 21,000 kilometers. The width varies across different sections, reaching 5 to 7 meters, while the height ranges from 6 to 16 meters. The structure consists of towers, garrison posts, and fortresses connected by continuous walls. It also has 12 gates for border control and trade. At various times, the wall had up to 25,000 signal towers.
The oldest segments were built using a compacted mixture of earth, clay, straw, reeds, and stones. Later, stone slabs were laid atop compacted embankments. By the 14th–17th centuries, baked bricks became the primary building material.
However, it is important to note that the Great Wall of China is not just a symbol of imperial power but also a monument to human sacrifice. According to some estimates, around one million people perished during its construction. This number is shocking, especially considering that all the work was done manually, without modern equipment. Thousands of workers died from exhaustion, starvation, disease, and harsh labor conditions. A simple calculation reveals that for every 30 meters of the wall, one worker lost their life.
Legend has it that many of them were buried directly in or near the wall, which led to its grim nickname: “the largest cemetery in the world.” Some even believe that the wall became a giant tombstone, with every stone preserving the memory of the fallen.
The Great Wall of China is not only an extraordinary architectural achievement but also a symbol of an entire era’s grandeur and sacrifice. It showcases the incredible engineering skills of ancient China while serving as a solemn reminder of the high cost of its construction. Today, the wall stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving the history of many generations. It attracts millions of tourists, remaining an eternal monument to human labor, resilience, and the determination to protect one’s land.
