Machu Picchu is an Inca site in Peru, It was built in the 15th century, approximately around 1450, But it was discovered in 19th century. It is believed that had built as an estate for Pachacuti, an Incan emperor.
Machu Picchu is the Lost City of the Incas. It is located on the eastern Andes mountain slopes in a tropical mountain forest. There are terraces and walls that look as if they were cut from the rock.
In the Quechua Indian language, “Machu Picchu” means “Old Peak” or “Old Mountain.”
To visit the site today it takes either a four day or two day journey by foot. It can also be reached by train that only takes 4 hours.
It is located above 7,970 feet from sea level.
It was named a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981, and two years later, in 1983 UNESCO classified it as a World Heritage Site.
This site was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
It is one of the most important historical Latin American sites and covers an area of 32,500 hectares.
Machu Picchu was built with polished dry stone walls.
In 2008 Machu Picchu listed in the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the World by the World Monuments Fund. This was due to environmental degradation from tourism and development that has occurred in a nearby town. This town Aquas Calientes has built a bridge and a tram to make access to the site easier for tourists.
There are three main structures located in the Sacred District of Machu Picchu. Temple of the Three Windows, Temple of the Sun, The Intiwatana.
The Three Windows: which, along with the main temple are said to have the most impressive architecture in Machu Picchu,
The Temple of the Three Windows is one of the foundations with the longest history in the sacred lost city of Machu Picchu.
The city was build up with the purpose to hide the Inca civilization from the Spanish conquerors, and this location was without a doubt more than ideal for such shelter. This Temple held a great spiritual value for the civilization but also has a very important historical meaning.
The Temple of the Sun: A semi-circle shaped temple that at once time was thought to have gold and precious jewels inlaid in the door. It was built on a large rock below which there is a small cave that was completely lined with fine masonry. Scientists predicted that was a mausoleum and rested in large niches mummies. It is accessed by a double jamb cover. The tower was used for ceremonies related to the June solstice. Few people had access to this place, only the priest and the Inca could enter to the Temple of the Sun.
The Temple of the sun, a sculpted granite rock that is believed to have functioned as a solar clock or calendar.
The Intiwatana: It is a stone located on the top of a hill. Access is via 78 steps which lead to a platform. It is believed that this stone was used as calendar or an astronomic clock.
Temple of Condor: The wonderful adjoining places that offer the unique flora and fauna of this valley of the Andes located in Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountain systems. The impressive air show that offers one of the indigenous wonders of these places, the Condor, a symbol sacred to the Inca civilization which granted the status of King de los Andes can be seen from any location of Machu Picchu.
In addition to the rock with bird with spread wings and the area discovered by another representation in stone that resembles the figure of this animal.
The Main Plaza: The areas around the Central Plaza of Machu Picchu are surrounded by a rocky structure that accommodates a series of terraces from where you can appreciate a great view of Huayna Picchu.
Mortuary Rock: Located in the agricultural sector of the city, took its name from the different scenarios of the expert community of anthropology after discovered that mass graves with human remains.
The rock has a symbolic character that led to the entry of the necropolis of the Citadel of Machu Picchu. Its proximity to this cemetery gave the character of Idol, so the area where might have come to host large numbers of funeral ceremonies and religious offerings of the city.
The funerary rock represents the chapel sanctuary of the city of Machu Picchu. Archaeological findings have been able to explain that the rock funeral home was designed to serve as a chapel which he presents common elements of this type of buildings.
We can find a series of steps that form a small tier as well as the existence of a large ring which resembles the design of a ring.
The most expensive Indian film ever made, Endhiran, released in 2010, was partly shot on location at Macchu Picchu. It features and ex miss world (Aishwarya) as the actress and only a few films to be given permission to film in the place.
A symbol of the Incan Empire and built around 1450 AD, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
This zone is normally rainy, especially between November and March, temperature maintained between 12 and 24 degree Celsius, places maintained with warm and humid during the day and fresh during the night.
The site are replicated the excellent preservation, the quality of its architecture, and the breathtaking mountain vista it occupies has made Machu Picchu one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world today. The site covers 80,000 acres.
Terraced fields on the edge of the site were once used for growing crops, likely maize and potatoes.
The Machu Picchu includes 172 campuses; 530 meters long and 200 meters wide. There are two areas in the complex; both zones are separated by a wall, a moat and a staircase, elements that run parallel to the slope east of the mountain.
Stones that were used to build the city were more than 50 pounds, it is believed that no wheels were used to transport these rocks up the mountain. Scientists assuming that thousands of men pushed the heavy rocks up the steep mountain side.
The compound contains more than 100 separate flights of stairs. Most of the individual staircases were carved from one slab of stone.
MACHU PICCHU’S “DISCOVERY” BY HIRAM BINGHAM.
Inspirational Machu Picchu facts:
“Machu Picchu is made up of more than 150 buildings ranging from baths and houses to temples and sanctuaries.“
