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Machu Picchu
The Legendary “Lost City of Machu Picchu” is without a doubt the most important tourist attraction in Peru and one of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites. Built by the Incas on the summit of “Machu Picchu” (Old Peak), overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba river in a semi-tropical area 120 Km. (75 miles) from the city of Cusco at 7,000 feet above sea level on the Urubamba Canyon over from Huayno Picchu (Young Mountain). The whole archaeological complex covers approximately 5 square kms. As it is situated in the high jungle, its climate is semi-tropical, warm and humid. Revealed to the world in July 1911 by Hiram Bingham (professor at Yale University) is made up of a complex of constructions located at different points of the Vilcanota cordillera, unique for their network of pathways and roads traditionally known as the Inca Highway.
The citadel has sectors clearly distinguishable amongst themselves, the agricultural zone (terraces) and the urban sector, divided by a dry ditch (which takes advantage of a geological fault), from a whole group of buildings known as Huaynapicchu (signifying in Quechua - small peak or mountain) a pyramid shaped peak so strategically located as to have almost certainly been used as a lookout post.
It houses archaeological groups constructed for different purposes, such as the Temple of the Moon, built to take advantage of a geological fault, as well as a series of terraces with probable esthetic-religious purposes. Access is by a narrow, steep path. The original entrance to the complex is on the southwestern side of the citadel at the end of the Inca Trail, a short walk away from “Intipunko” (Sun Gate), the ancient final check point to Machu Picchu. The present entrance on the southeastern side leads to the agricultural section directly. The complex can be divided in three distinct sections: Agricultural, Urban, and Religious.
The agricultural area consists of a series of terraces and irrigation channels that serve dual purpose, as cultivation platforms making it self sustainable, and as retention walls to avoid erosion. Some smaller buildings next to large terraces are part of this section and thought to have served as lookout posts.
The urban section starts at the wall that separates it from the agricultural area. This group of buildings was constructed on the ridge that descends abruptly to the Urubamba valley. In the southern part of this section are found a series of niches carved on rock known as “the jail” with elements that include man size niches, stone rings would have served to hold the prisoner’s arms, and underground dungeons.
The group of refined structures next to “the jail” is known as the “intellectuals’ quarters”, with tall walls, nooks, and windows built with reddish stone, considered to have been accommodations for the Amautas (high ranked teachers). The largest urban section in Machu Picchu, located on the north western part and reached by a 67 steps staircase, involves a group of buildings not as finely constructed as other parts of the complex.
The religious section contains splendid architecture and masonry work. One of the most important and enigmatic is probably the Intihuatana shrine, this block of granite was presumably used to make astronomical observations. Descending the hill next to this site is the Great Central Temple, a three walled building with fine stonework and an attached smaller temple called the “Sacristy”. Next to this structure is another three walled building, known as the Temple of the Three Windows, so called because of the trapezoidal openings on the east wall.
Directly across is the Royal sector, with ample buildings typical of Inca royalty. A very important structure in this section is the “Temple of the Sun”, a circular tower with the best stonework of Machu Picchu. Its base forms a cavern known as the Royal Tomb, although recent studies show that the actual purpose was for astronomical observance. The building style is “late imperial Inca”, thought to have been a sanctuary or temple inhabited by high priests and the “Virgins of the Sun” (chosen women). Excavations revealed that of the 135 skeletons found,109 were women. No signs of post-Conquest occupation were unearthed.
Huayna Picchu, young peak, is as much a part of the site as the buildings of the citadel. The towering granite peak overlooks Machu Picchu to the North with a steep well preserved original Inca path, well worth the one hour climb for an astounding view of the citadel and the entire valley. The Temple of the Moon, located halfway down in an underground chamber on the north side of the Huayna Picchu, is a fairly recent discovery. The access to this site is rather difficult and diverges left from the main trail. It contains finely carved structures on large boulders.
Only from the nearby hilltop observatory of Intipunku can the visitor realize the full extent of Machu Picchu’s colossal conception. The citadel is a stupendous achievement in urban planning, civil engineering, architecture, stone-masonry and enduring. The architectural forms are characteristic of the Incas but, beyond that, its origins and unknown end are veiled in a mystery as thick as the early morning mist swirling around its craggy fastness.
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