Machu Picchu, “Old Mountain” is a pre-Columbian Inca site located 2,430 meters (7,970 ft) above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kms.northwest of Cuzco and through which the Urubamba River flows. This was another wonder of the world which was discovered after the centuries that it was considered as the lost city.
Everything inside this city from the complex and refined gardens to the multifaceted bridges and channels was intended to give the travelers and locals an idea about the blessed relationship of nature and mankind.
Machu Picchu was constructed around 1450, at the height of the Inca empire, and was abandoned less than 100 years later, as the empire collapse under Spanish conquest. Over the centuries, the surrounding jungle grew to enshroud the site, and few knew of its existence.
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| Photo Credit: Google |
In 1911, Yale historian and explorer Hiram Bingham brought the “lost” city to the world's attention. Bingham and others hypothesized that the citadel was the traditional birthplace of the Inca people or the spiritual center of the “virgins of the sun,” while curators of a recent exhibit have speculated that Machu Picchu was a royal retreat.
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| Photo credit: Google |
It is thought that the site was chosen for its unique location and geological features. It is said that the silhouette of the mountain range behind Machu Picchu represents the face of the Inca looking upward towards the sky, with thelargest peak, Huayna Picchu (meaning Young Peak), representing his pierced nose.
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| Photo credit: Google |
In visiting the city, you can see many historic and magnificient attractions. The first attraction you will see when you enter the ruins is the Temple of the Sun. however entering the temple is not allowed and yet this condition does carry much impact because the sight of the exterior architecture that you can witness is enough to create a lasting impression about this rich ruins of the past.
The Royal Tomb-is a cave like structure, which houses an outstanding stepped altar and a progression of niches. Down the stairs of Royal Tomb is awater canal and a chain of interrelated fountains.
Chamberof the Princess-Situated next to the templeof the Sun is the two-story Chamber of the
Princess. This structure and the nearby structures give travelers thechance to imagining how the buildings look like duiring the Incan period.
Intihuatana-it is obvious that hiking is avery important activity for you to see the whole of Machu Picchu. And you will do the same if you want to see and visit one of the most important shrines in the area. Intihuatana is a captivating carved wood that imitates the blessed peak rising ahead of the ruins.
Carved, designed and made with hands but surely became the World's Wonder.
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