Perú Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

What is Machu Picchu? An ancient Incan city build high up in the mountains One of the best preserved Incan cities Constructed in1450 by the Incans Located 50 miles from Cuzco, hidden in mountains It was never found nor destroyed by the Spaniards (Pizarro). Rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, from Yale University Wayna Picchu (young mountain), Machu Picchu (old mountain) Reached by the Incan trail on foot (or now by bus)

Why was Machu Picchu built? Archeologists discovery of the many temples: sun, moon, condor, three windows, etc. Most believe it was the home of Incan ruling class and priests (temples, palaces and observatories) Incans performed religious ceremonies in Machu Picchu Huacas – places where Inti and Pachamama were worshipped (typically in high mountains)

The Ruins

Inca Trail leading up to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail The most important Incan road was the Camino Real, or the Royal Road. A length of 5,200 km (3,230 mi) It began in Quito, Ecuador, passed through Cusco, and ended in what is now Tucumán, Argentina. The Camino Real follows the mountain ranges of the Andes, with altitudes of more than 15,000 feet Because of trail erosion, the Peruvian government limits the number of people who can hike the trial to 500 people a day, including guides and porters You can trek up to Machu Picchu, which takes around three or four days

Intihuatana Stone Many believe Machu Picchu was an astronomical observatory Intihuatana Stone – Called “the hitching post of the sun” On March 21st and September 21st at noon, the sun stands almost directly above the pillar, creating no shadow at all, so is "tied" to the rock. The Incas held ceremonies at the stone in which they "tied the sun" to halt its northward movement in the sky It told them when to plant and to harvest crops

Intihuatana Stone

Wayna Picchu In Quechua, it means "Young Peak" The taller mountain next to Machu Picchu The Incans built a trail up the side of the Wayna Picchu and built temples and terraces on its top According to locals, the top of the mountain was the residence for the high priest and the local virgins Every morning before sunrise, the high priest would signal the coming of the new day The climb is very steep and dangerous and takes about 1 hour each way

Wayna Picchu