Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru. The site is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba River valley and is often referred to as “The Lost City of the Incas.”
The Incas began building Machu Picchu around 1450, but it was abandoned less than 100 years later, at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. The site remained hidden for centuries and was only rediscovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham.
Machu Picchu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is known for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar, intriguing buildings that play on astronomical alignments and panoramic views. The citadel is divided into an urban sector and an agricultural sector, and is surrounded by terraces that were used for agriculture.
One of the most notable features of Machu Picchu is the Intihuatana, a carved stone that served as an astronomical clock for the Incas. The Intihuatana, also known as the “Hitching Post of the Sun,” is believed to have been used to determine the dates of important ceremonies and to make agricultural predictions. Another significant feature of the site is the Temple of the Sun, which is believed to have been used for religious and astronomical observations.
Machu Picchu is also known for its intricate irrigation system that allowed the Incas to cultivate crops on the steep terraces. The system is still in use today and continues to provide water to the crops grown on the terraces.
The site can only be accessed via a train or a hike along the Inca trail, which takes several days to complete. The most common route is to take a train to the town of Aguas Calientes and then take a bus up to the citadel. Many visitors choose to hike the Inca trail for a more immersive experience, but it’s important to keep in mind that permits for the hike are limited and should be arranged well in advance.
Machu Picchu continues to be a source of mystery and wonder, with theories about its purpose and use still being debated among experts. Nevertheless, it remains a testament to the engineering and architectural skills of the Inca people and continues to fascinate visitors from all over the world.
