The most prominent symbol of ancient Greece, the Acropolis in Athens, and the former landmark of Christian Orthodoxy, Hagia Sophia church in Istanbul, are among 21 sites competing to be named among the new seven wonders of the world, organizers of an Internet vote said yesterday.

The poll is being conducted by the Swiss-based New Seven Wonders of the World campaign. Voting will last until the end of the year and the winners will be announced on January 1, 2007. Organizers said they will donate half of the revenues raised during the campaign to restoration efforts.

The Acropolis and Hagia Sofia face tough competition from other sites including the Statue of Liberty in New York, Stonehenge in England and the Great Wall of China.

The only one to remain from the classical seven wonders of the world is the Pyramids of Giza, near Cairo in Egypt, which have also been included in the list of candidates.