This was accomplished by a laborious process of pecking at the stones with tools, gradually shaping them so that each stone was uniquely nested against those around it. ![]() The walls were built of stones that had been individually shaped to fit closely with one another, rather than being shaped into similar units. The construction of the main buildings is typical of Inka elite architecture. The site contains housing for elites, retainers, and maintenance staff, religious shrines, fountains, and terraces, as well as carved rock outcrops, a signature element of Inka art. The site was chosen and situated for its relationship to the Andean landscape, including sight lines to other mountain peaks, called apus, which have long been considered ancestral deities throughout the Andes. It was intended as a place where the Inka emperor and his family could host feasts, perform religious ceremonies, and administer the affairs of empire, while also establishing a claim to land that would be owned by his lineage after his death. The location was approximately three days’ walk from the Inka capital of Cusco, and nearly 3,000 feet lower in elevation (7,972 feet / 2,430 meters), with a pleasant climate. It was built as a royal estate for the first Inka emperor, Pachacuti Inka Yupanqui, in the middle of the 15th century, on a mountain saddle overlooking the Urubamba River (in modern day Peru). With so much to uncover about this ancient citadel, breathe in the once-in-a-lifetime experience that is a trip to Machu Picchu Peru.Machu Picchu is often described as “mysterious,” but in fact a great deal is known about its construction and purpose. Once at the bridge, you’ll learn about how the strategic placement and removal of this treacherous wooden bridge often made the difference between life and death. A Machu Picchu hike through the Peruvian Andes towards the bridge is a breath-taking experience in-and-of-itself, where you’ll walk through lush forests and see great river canyons stretch out beneath you. The only way to see this site is to trek to it. Learn about the role of the Intihuatana, a beautifully carved rock that was the key tool of the Inca astronomers.Īnother notable monument to visit is the Machu Picchu bridge, which once provided an alternative entrance to the great citadel. Marvel at the stone carvings of the Room of the Three Windows. Explore the Temple of the Sun, one of the most sacred sites of Machu Picchu, and see how the careful placement of the stone alter aligned perfectly with the rising sun. Take some time to wander around Machu Picchu’s three main structures. ![]() This gives tourists a better idea of how the city originally appeared.Įxplore this incredible archaeological site to discover what life was once like in this majestic citadel. While the city fell to disrepair following its abandonment – which was due to the arrival of the Spanish and the fall of the Inca Empire - most of the outlying buildings have been reconstructed. Here, you’ll get your first glimpse of the small city that was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. What was once believed to be the city of the elite Incas, hidden away from the chaos of their bustling capital Cusco, enter Machu Picchu through its famous Sun Gate. A former citadel of the ancient Inca civilisation, discover the stories, mythology and historical significance of this amazing place. Hidden high in the Peruvian Andes lies Machu Picchu, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.
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