Machu Picchu (Urubamba Province, Peru)

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca fortress. It is situated on a mountain ridge at an altitude of 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) in the eastern Cordillera of southern Peru. It is situated in the Machu Picchu District within the Urubamba Province, above the Sacred Valley, 80 kilometres (50 miles) north-west of Cusco. This landscape, which includes the Urubamba River, is surrounded by high mountains and possesses a legendary beauty.

Commonly known as the ‘Lost City of the Incas’, this city is the most recognisable symbol of the Inca Empire. As the Inca civilisation had no written language, no written sources regarding Machu Picchu have been found from the period when the site was in use. However, based on archaeologists’ findings, some speculative information about the site has been gathered. There are several theories regarding the purpose and significance of the lost city. According to a consensus among some archaeologists, Machu Picchu was commissioned around 1450 by the Inca ruler Pachacutec Yupanqui (1438–1471) to serve as a retreat for the royal family following a successful military campaign. Some sources also state that the Incas abandoned this estate a century later during the Spanish conquest. However, contrary to popular belief, it is thought that most of Machu Picchu’s inhabitants had unfortunately already perished from the smallpox brought by travellers long before the Spanish conquerors arrived in the region.

Machu Picchu possesses a captivating and extraordinary architectural structure due to its geographical location. The buildings were constructed in the classical Inca style using polished dry-stone walls. Its three main structures are the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows and Intihuatana. Machu Picchu consists of over 200 stone buildings connected by a system of stairways. The city’s 3,000 steps are still in very good condition today. As there are no detailed written records regarding the site’s period of active use, all data concerning the names of the buildings and their presumed functions have been established by modern archaeologists based on physical evidence. It is believed that the special stones used in the city’s construction were transported to the summit via a cable-and-pulley system from the valley. Furthermore, there is a mountain named Huayna Picchu, standing at 2,720 metres, situated right next to the site. The footpath leading to this mountain takes the form of a hidden passage that is not visible when viewed from Machu Picchu. The ascent to the mountain takes approximately two hours. From the summit of Huayna Picchu, it is possible to observe the entire city of Machu Picchu and the surrounding area in a 360-degree view. Most of the surrounding buildings have been reconstructed to give visitors a better idea of their original appearance, and restoration work continues to this day.

The year 1911 is generally cited as the official date of rediscovery. However, according to some sources, there had actually been many different ‘discoveries’ prior to this, and the city’s existence had already been known to certain groups for a long time. In 1911, the year considered the official date of discovery, the American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham travelled through the region in search of the lost capital of the Neo-Inca state founded by Manco Inca following the Spanish conquest, and was led to Machu Picchu by a local villager, Melchor Arteaga. Bingham discovered the name Agustín Lizárraga and the date 1902, written in charcoal, on one of the walls of the Temple of the Three Windows. Although Bingham was not the first person to visit the ruins, he is recognised as the scientific explorer who brought Machu Picchu to international attention. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, was first excavated by Bingham in 1912 and 1913. Hiram Bingham published a book about his discovery of Machu Picchu in 1915 and became famous for the National Geographic Society dedicating its entire April 1913 issue to the city.

The only document currently known regarding the legendary Inca city is a document dating from 1782, discovered by history professor José Uriel García. On page 20 of the handwritten record, it is noted that the land of Machu Picchu and its surroundings was purchased by Commander Marcos Antonio de la Camara y Escudero for 450 pesos. This was certified by the notary Ambrosius de Lira. The document states that the city’s name was Machu Picchu. Only Hiram Bingham, whether consciously or unconsciously, revealed the secret of the city’s true name.

Machu Picchu is one of the world’s (and particularly South America’s) most significant tourist destinations. It was designated a Peruvian Historic Conservation Area in 1982 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. It was also among the winners of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’ project held globally in 2007.

When planning your holiday, you must bear in mind that visitor numbers and visit durations are strictly limited due to certain risks arising from landslides, earthquakes and decaying structures. Machu Picchu is a truly fascinating place, with its captivating architecture and mysterious history.