Machu Picchu – The Wonder of the World

Today Machu Picchu is universally known for its imposing archaeological remains, for its impressive location and for the natural environment that surrounds it, making it one of the favorites destination of many travelers, thus being one of the most important tourist spots in the world.
This archaeological complex is called a citadel because of the large number of houses, ceremonial sites, temples, terraces and roads. Machu Picchu is a marvel of architecture and engineering due to the expertise of its builders who managed to build it in a place that even today would demand a great challenge to build it.
It raises a lot of admiration from historians, scientists and engineers from around the world, since it was built in a highly seismic and rainy area, therefore its constructions were made to resist earthquakes in addition to having a sophisticated drainage system to prevent flooding and water accumulation. It should be noted that the alignment of many of the buildings coincides with the solar solstices, points of dawn and sunset at certain times of the year.

History Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a Quechua word that means Old Mountain.
Archaeologists estimate that it was built by the Incas during the fifteenth century of our era during the rule of Pachacutec Inca, but its function remains a mystery. It is also known that it was populated by a large number of inhabitants, it is believed that they were between 300 to 1000 people, only by nobles, priests and the “aqllas” (virgins of the sun).
Machu Picchu was lost through the years, since despite being within the jurisdiction of several haciendas over time, No one except the locals knew of their existence, of which they used the cultivation area, thus being covered by a thick weed.
During the nineteenth century celebrities such as Antonio Raimondi, Augusto Berns, Harry Singer, Herman Goring and Charles Wiener explored nearby places, some even got to see him. In 1902, the cusquenian Agustín Lizárraga with 2 companions arrived in Machu Picchu, proof of this was an inscription that they left in the temple of the 3 windows registered in a drawing made by Hiram Bingham, the inscription was subsequently deleted.
It was in 1911 that it was discovered and shown to the world by the American explorer Hiram Bingham, he was amazed and asked for support from Yale University, National Geographic Society and the Peruvian Government, so between 1912 and 1915 he carried out archaeological works.
In 1981 Machu Picchu was established as a Protection Zone. Since 1983 it is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and in 2007 it was named as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

LOCATION

Machu Picchu is located in southern Peru, in the department of Cusco, province of Urubamba and district of Machu Picchu.
It is located 75 km in a straight line from Cusco city and 112.5 km along the train track also from Cusco.
Its geographical strings are 13°09′47 ″ S 72°32′44 ″ W.
Machu Picchu Inca citadel is located on the left bank of the Sacred Vilcanota River at 2600 m.a.s.l., and belongs to the Peruvian High Forest ecoregion or Yungas.
It is almost 5 hours away from Cusco, 2 hours by van, bus or car to Ollantaytambo, 2 hours by train to Aguas Calientes and 30 minutes by tourist bus to Machu Picchu.

IMPORTANCE

The importance of Machu Picchu Inca citadel is due to several factors, historians have classified it in sectors by the possible uses that the Incas gave it.

AGRICULTURAL SECTOR:

• Superior Agricultural Area
  They are located at the entrance of Machu Picchu very close to the cemetery. They have a rectangular floor plan, they show Inca architecture with mud mortar.
• Lower Agricultural Area
  It is the most important agricultural area of Machu Picchu, it contains more than 40 andenes. The andenes not only create fertile land, but also prevent soil erosion, they have an effective drainage that takes full advantage of the water.
  Another important function of the andenes is the retaining wall, it was thanks to these structures that the Machu Picchu citadel could be built on top of the mountain.

THE SACRED SECTOR (HANAN)

• The Main Temple.
  It is located in the Sacred Square, it is located next to the temple of the 3 windows. It was built with carved and polished stone blocks, has a huayrana structure since it has only 3 walls.
• The Temple of the Three Windows.
  It is located in the Sacred Square. He has an exceptional work on the stones with which it was built. Possibly the 3 windows represent the legend of the origin of the Inca civilization, referring to the 3 tribes that leave the Tamputoco hill next to the Ayar brothers.
• The Priest’s House.
  This room belonged to the High Priest who in Quechua was called “Willaq Umu” which means “head that warns”, he was in charge of the main temple and that of the 3 windows.
• Intiwatana.
  It means “where the sun is tied”. It is the most important area of the sacred sector. It is located on top of a pyramid, it was carved on a mother rock. It is one of the most enigmatic places in Machu Picchu, it is believed to be used as an astronomical observatory.

RESIDENTIAL SECTOR (HURIN):

• The Sacred Rock Sector or Earth Temple
  It is a beautiful carved rock which represents the silhouette of the Pumasillo hill in the background. It is located at the gateway to the “Huayna Picchu” and the “Moon Temple”.
• The Water Mirrors
  This famous enclosure has 2 containers that full of water have the function of mirrors or can also serve as a mortar of herbs. It is attributed that this enclosure was an Acllahuasi or House of the elect, who dedicated themselves to spinning, preparing chicha (corn beer) and cooking for priests.
• The Sacred Rock or Temple of the Condor
  It is a magnificent temple designed in 3D, the head is on the ground as an altar and the wings are carved in the mother rock of the mountain. Behind the temple there are remains of niches and a network of dungeons. The chroniclers believe that they were Inca prisons, the accused waited inside, up to 3 days to receive his sentence. Those sentenced to death were offered to the sacred bird “El Condor”, their remains were left on the altar of the head of the condor, so that the Andean condor descends from the Andes to feast.

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