The Citadel of Machu Picchu (Quechua language " Old Mountain ") is known throughout the world for its amazing ruins and its unusual location on a high mountain overlooking the mighty currents of the Urubamba river.
Even today nobody has been able to solve the mystery how the builders and designers managed to transport the huge blocks of limestone to the top of the mountain required for the construction of the city.
Probably built during the 15th century in a very difficult location, it is the greatest achievement of the Incas architects due to the intelligence and dare demonstrated by their design. It has an extent of 13 sq/km and its main functions were military and religious. It used to be surrounded by an outer wall with a height of 6.00 m . and a width of 1.80 m . and it is estimated that it was inhabited by 10,000 people. Built of limestone (the outer and inner walls), wood (doors and frames), and ceilings made of straw. |
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Machu Picchu is located 2,300 meters above sea level ( 7,546 ft .), at 112 km . ( 70 miles ) from cuzco, in the Urubamba valley in the lowest part of the sacred valley of the incas in a area of direct access to the upper jungle. Without doubt, Machu Picchu was part of a very big complex of fortresses which defended the Andean lands in Sacred valley of any assault from native people out of the jungle.
Having Huayna Picchu as a background they divided Machu Picchu in four sectors. Northwest is located the area that was probably used for the main religious purposes, that includes a Plaza named by Hiram Bingham as "Sacred Plaza", also the temple of the "Three Windows", "The Sacred Temple", the "Priests Mansion", and the "Intihuatana" that is a large block of limestone used during Inca ceremonies.
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Machu Picchu was introduced to the scientific world by Hiram Bingham, who was led to the site by the folk that lived in the area. He reached it on July 24th,1911. Bingham, an American Anthropologist from Yale University , was the one that began the Archaeological studies of the area, and it was him who gave the city the title of the " Lost City of the Incas" that was also the name he used for his book on the subject.
Since 1981 it has been declared Histoeical Sanctuary as well as World heritage Site by UNESCO because of its archaeological importance as well as its unique flora such as the orchids that you may find aplenty.
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The recomended time to make a visit to Machu Picchu is one day.
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