Great Wonders Of The Modern World

This programme journeys back in time to take a look at some of the world's most incredible architectural masterpieces of all time, including the architectural work-of-genius that is Rome's mighty colosseum. The Egyptian Pyramids, which stand as cultural and engineering marvels of staggering proportions. Hadrian's Wall, which stretches 74 miles long and is 2,000 years old, a tantalising treasure that historians are eager to explore further. London's Tower Bridge, a symbol of industrial might and technological daring. Gustave's Eiffel Tower, the very essence of Paris. San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, which fifty years after its construction is still regarded as one of the world's most incredible engineering accomplishments.

Disc 1. The Colosseum: It was the most impressive building in the capital city of the greatest empire of the ancient world. This programme journeys back in time to take an in depth look at Rome's mighty Colosseum, an architectural masterpiece that still inspires awe after 2,000 years.

Disc 2. The Egyptian Pyramids: Constructed as tombs for the ancient Pharaohs, over 100 pyramids remain in Egypt. Built during a span of over 1,000 years, they stand as cultural and engineering marvels of staggering proportions. Travel back in time as this fascinating programme investigates the evolution of these magnificent structures.

Disc 3. Hadrian's Wall: 74 miles long and 2,000 years old, Hadrian's Wall winds over the hills and valleys of Northern England, marking the northernmost extent of a once mighty empire. Built of stone and mortar, Hadrian's Wall stands in mute testament to its long-ago builders and is a tantalising treasure that still holds many secrets archaeologists and historians are eager to uncover.

Disc 4. Tower Bridge: Built at the same time as the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower, London's Tower Bridge quickly became an icon of its nation, a symbol of industrial might and technological daring combined with a deep sense of tradition. This programme ventures from the Victorian era to the present day to tell the complete story of this famous bridge.

Disc 5. The Eiffel Tower: It was meant to be a temporary exhibit, a demonstration of French engineering acumen at the Paris World Fair. But to Parisians, the tower, designed by the brash, young Gustave Eiffel, came to stand for much more. This is the monumental tale of the graceful steel sculpture that stands at almost 1,000 feet.

Disc 6. The Trans Siberian Railway: Stretching nearly 6,000 miles from Moscow to Vladivostok, the Trans-Siberian Railroad was one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever undertaken. Started in 1891 on the orders of Czar Alexander III, it is the longest, most expensive and most complicated railroad ever built. Amazingly this phenomenal railroad was completed in less than 15 years, despite having to cross vast stretches of the most remote and unforgiving land on earth.

Disc 7. The Empire State Building: The construction of this world famous New York skyscraper, built during the great depression, came to embody much more than simply another building, it came to symbolise the indomitable American spirit. This is the incredible story of the Empire State Building.

Disc 8. The Golden Gate Bridge: More than 50 years after its construction, the Golden Gate Bridge is still regarded as one of the world's great engineering marvels. Against all odds, it took 25 million man-hours and 80,000 miles of cable to complete and has become one of the greatest symbols of America. This is the awe-inspiring story of the Golden Gate Bridge.