Machu Picchu is fascinating because it is an ancient Incan city perched high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Its incredible architectural design, breathtaking views, and mysterious abandonment make it a captivating archaeological site.
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Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city nestled amidst the majestic Andes Mountains in Peru, is a captivating destination that intrigues visitors from all around the world. This remarkable archaeological site brings together a combination of breathtaking natural beauty, incredible architectural design, and a rich history that continues to fascinate us.
First and foremost, the architectural design of Machu Picchu is truly awe-inspiring. The city was constructed using a technique known as “ashlar,” where giant stone blocks were precisely cut and interlocked without the use of mortar. The precision in the construction has allowed Machu Picchu to withstand centuries of earthquakes, a testament to the ingenuity of the Incan civilization. As American explorer Hiram Bingham, who rediscovered Machu Picchu, described it, “It is an admirable work of architecture and construction worthy of the genius of a master builder.”
The natural setting of Machu Picchu is equally captivating. Positioned on a mountain ridge overlooking the Urubamba Valley, the site offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Andes and lush green landscapes. The combination of the imposing mountains, the swirling mists, and the intricate stonework of the ruins creates a mystical atmosphere that enchants all who visit. As writer Pablo Neruda once said, “Machu Picchu is a trip to the serenity of the soul, to the eternal fusion with the cosmos, where we feel our fragility.”
Moreover, the mysterious abandonment of Machu Picchu adds to its allure. Historians believe that the city was abandoned by the Incas during the Spanish conquest, intentionally left hidden and untouched for centuries until its rediscovery in 1911. This abandonment has sparked numerous theories and speculations, creating an air of mystery around the purpose and significance of Machu Picchu. As travel writer Mark Adams aptly puts it, “Machu Picchu advocates a mystical feeling that makes you question the purpose of its construction and the intentions of its builders.”
To delve deeper into the intriguing aspects of Machu Picchu, here are some interesting facts:
- Construction: Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century, during the height of the Incan Empire, without the use of wheels or iron tools.
- Hidden Gem: Its remote location and intricate construction allowed Machu Picchu to remain hidden from the Spanish conquistadors, resulting in its preservation over the centuries.
- Terraces: The site is renowned for its terraced fields, which were used for farming crops like maize and potatoes. These terraces were ingeniously designed to optimize agricultural productivity in the challenging mountainous region.
- Intihuatana Stone: Machu Picchu features an enigmatic stone known as the Intihuatana, believed to have served as a solar observatory or a sacred ritual stone by the Incas.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, recognizing its outstanding universal value and importance to humanity.
- Tourism: As a popular tourist destination, Machu Picchu receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, prompting sustainable tourism measures to preserve the fragile site.
In conclusion, Machu Picchu’s allure lies in its remarkable architectural design, stunning natural surroundings, and perplexing history. It continues to captivate the world with its mystique and remains an extraordinary testament to the achievements of the Incan civilization. As novelist Isabel Allende poetically stated, “Machu Picchu is a place where you feel a civilization so distant and so removed from us breathing in our ears.”
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Machu Picchu is a fascinating archeological site located in Peru. The site was built around the mid 15th century and appears to align with astronomical events. Despite being known by local communities, the site was not discovered by outsiders until the early 20th century.
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More than 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. A symbol of the Incan Empire and built around 1450AD, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. 10.
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Thereof, What makes Machu Picchu in Peru so special? Answer: Embedded within a dramatic landscape at the meeting point between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon Basin, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is among the greatest artistic, architectural and land use achievements anywhere and the most significant tangible legacy of the Inca civilization.
What are 10 facts about Machu Picchu? 10 Little Known Facts About Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu is not a lost Incan city.
- The staff is quite superstitious.
- It’s built on two fault lines.
- It’s host to a race.
- The walk is treacherous.
- The rules of entrance.
- There are multiple viewing peaks.
- Small pox eradicated the original residents.
Also Know, What are 2 important facts about Machu Picchu?
Response to this: 10 Fascinating Facts about Machu Picchu
- The name is not Machu Picchu, and it can also not be called the “lost” city of the Incas.
- The construction is 75% original, one of the most well preserved archaeological sites of its time.
- Above Machu Picchu is a “no-fly” zone.
- It is located deep in the beautiful cloud forest.
Similarly, Why Machu Picchu is a wonder of the world?
Response: This Mountaintop Is a Sacred Site
Machu Picchu’s famed Temple of the Sun. Mountains were sacred to the Incas, so this particularly high mountaintop dwelling would have had a special, spiritual significance. So much so, Incas even came to regard this imperial city as the center of the universe.
Beside this, What are some of the most fascinating facts about Machu Picchu?
The response is: One of the interesting facts about Machu Picchu is that it was built for royalty. A place where Incan royalty would reside and meet with their inner circle. It served as a place where Emperor Pachacutec or Inca Sapa would retreat and entertain his family and guests. A place of happiness and prosperity.
Accordingly, How did the Incas build Machu Picchu without using any mortar?
The reply will be: The Incas didn’t use any mortar in its construction The Incas were adept engineers and were able to build the entire citadel of Machu Picchu without using any mortar. Instead, they used a special technique called ashlar, which involves cutting stones so precisely that they lay on top of one another without any space between them.
Just so, How many people lived in Machu Picchu? The population of Machu Picchu ranged between 300-1000 inhabitants and consisted mostly of members of Pachacutec’s lineage, religious elite, and highly specialized artisans recruited from across the empire, called yanaconas. The valleys in these areas produced a big agricultural surplus.
In this regard, What was the purpose of the terraces at Machu Picchu? It served as a place where Emperor Pachacutec or Inca Sapa would retreat and entertain his family and guests. A place of happiness and prosperity. Others understood the site was used for religious purposes.
Correspondingly, What are some of the most fascinating facts about Machu Picchu? Answer: One of the interesting facts about Machu Picchu is that it was built for royalty. A place where Incan royalty would reside and meet with their inner circle. It served as a place where Emperor Pachacutec or Inca Sapa would retreat and entertain his family and guests. A place of happiness and prosperity.
Then, How did the Incas build Machu Picchu without using any mortar?
Response: The Incas didn’t use any mortar in its construction The Incas were adept engineers and were able to build the entire citadel of Machu Picchu without using any mortar. Instead, they used a special technique called ashlar, which involves cutting stones so precisely that they lay on top of one another without any space between them.
How many people lived in Machu Picchu? The population of Machu Picchu ranged between 300-1000 inhabitants and consisted mostly of members of Pachacutec’s lineage, religious elite, and highly specialized artisans recruited from across the empire, called yanaconas. The valleys in these areas produced a big agricultural surplus.
Simply so, What was the purpose of the terraces at Machu Picchu? It served as a place where Emperor Pachacutec or Inca Sapa would retreat and entertain his family and guests. A place of happiness and prosperity. Others understood the site was used for religious purposes.