Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a mountain ridge at 2,430 meters (7,970 ft). It sits in the Machupicchu District of Urubamba Province about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Cusco, above the Sacred Valley and along the Urubamba River, which forms a deep canyon.

Often called the "Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu is one of the most famous symbols of the Inca civilization and a major archaeological site in the Americas. It is believed to have been built around 1450 and may have served as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, though there are no written records from that time to confirm this. The site was abandoned about a century later, likely during the Spanish conquest.

Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with finely crafted dry-stone walls. Important structures include the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Intihuatana ritual stone. Although local people knew about the site, it gained international attention in 1911 when the American historian Hiram Bingham III visited it.

In 1981, Peru designated Machu Picchu as a National Historic Sanctuary, and in 1983 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007, it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Today, it is Peru's most visited international tourist destination, welcoming over 1.5 million visitors each year.

Etymology

Machu Picchu is located between two mountain peaks named Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. In the Quechua language, the words machu mean 'old' and pikchu mean 'summit' or 'peak'. So, the name Machu Picchu is often understood to mean 'old mountain' or 'old peak'.

We do not know the exact name the Inca people used for this place. Some research suggests it might have been called "Huayna Picchu" or just "Picchu". The name Machu Picchu became famous through the writings of American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911.

History

The history of Machu Picchu is filled with interesting debates and discoveries. Scholars have different ideas about when it was built, but most agree it was constructed in the mid-1400s by the Inca ruler Pachacutec. The site was likely used as a royal estate and retreat for about 80 years before being abandoned, possibly due to diseases like smallpox brought by Europeans.

Before the Spanish arrived, Machu Picchu was home to around 750 people, including workers, religious specialists, and temporary staff. Studies of bones found there show that many inhabitants came from different parts of the Inca Empire, bringing their own traditions and diets. The estate featured impressive agricultural terraces designed to manage water and grow crops like maize and potatoes, though much of the food was imported from surrounding valleys.

Machu Picchu was rediscovered in the early 1900s by Peruvian explorer Agustín Lizárraga and later brought to international attention by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. Bingham’s expeditions led to significant excavations, though they also sparked debates over the removal of artifacts. These artifacts were eventually returned to Peru in 2012 and are now displayed in the Machu Picchu Museum in Cusco.

Current state

Further information: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is protected as a "Historic Sanctuary" covering 325.92 square kilometers, rich in plants and animals like the Andean fox, puma, and many bird species. In 1983, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site for its amazing architecture and importance to the Inca civilization.

Today, a town called Aguas Calientes lies near the ruins, offering hotels and a train station for visitors. Machu Picchu is very popular, with over 1.5 million tourists each year. To protect the site, rules limit daily visitors and manage tourism carefully. Despite challenges like flooding and protests, efforts continue to preserve this amazing place for future generations.

Geography

Machu Picchu is located in the Southern Hemisphere, about 13.111 degrees south of the equator. It sits high in the mountains, roughly 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Cusco, at an elevation of 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above mean sea level. This makes it much lower and milder in climate compared to Cusco.

The site is built above a bend in the Urubamba River, with steep cliffs dropping down to the river below. It is nestled between two mountains, Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, offering views of two valleys and a rugged mountain behind it. The area has special features like old bridges and roads that connect to other nearby places. The stones used to build Machu Picchu come from the earthquake faults in the region, making building materials easier to find.

Site

The site of Machu Picchu is divided into two main areas: an agricultural sector and an urban sector. The agricultural sector, found to the southeast, includes terraces used for farming. The urban sector, to the northeast, contains homes, temples, and storage areas. This urban part is split into an upper town and a lower town.

The upper town includes important places such as the Sacred Plaza and the Main Temple. The lower town has special buildings like the Temple of the Condor. The buildings are arranged on wide terraces, with stone stairways connecting different levels. The city’s design fits the mountain terrain, with channels for water and rooms for both living and ceremonies. Key attractions include the Intihuatana stone, the Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of the Three Windows.

Machu Picchu’s buildings were constructed using a special stone-fitting method without mortar. The Incas shaped large stones to fit together perfectly, creating stable structures despite earthquakes and heavy rain. Terraces helped manage water, and canals provided irrigation.

Today, visitors reach Machu Picchu by train to Aguas Calientes and then a bus, or by hiking the famous Inca Trail. A new road is being built to make access easier.

In popular culture

Machu Picchu has been featured in many movies, TV shows, and music. The film Secret of the Incas (1954) was the first major Hollywood movie filmed there. Other films like Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972), The Motorcycle Diaries (2004), and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023) also used Machu Picchu as a location. It has appeared in TV shows such as The Simpsons and documentaries like "Ghosts of Machu Picchu". Even a song from the Indian film Enthiran called "Kilimanjaro" was filmed at this amazing site.