Of course, everyone heard about the mysterious city of Machu Picchu. This is a place that hides secrets that have not been solved so far. This monument is one of the seven new wonders of the world. Do you know where Machu Picchu is located, what makes it so unique? Let's figure it out.
Old mountain
Machu Picchu has several names. The first is the "old mountain." This is how Machu Picchu is translated from the ancient Quechua language . The ancient city so organically fits into the surrounding landscape that it received the name "sky-high city" or "heavenly city". Up there, it seems that the triangular roofs of small houses are part of the landscape.
The Inca city of Machu Picchu is an architectural masterpiece. In order to erect such a structure, builders had to have knowledge in geology, topography, ecology and astronomy. After all, the Incas used natural mountain slopes during the construction and made the buildings stable even in the event of inclines and earthquakes.
Machu Picchu is an incredible building! How this could be built is still a mystery. After all, stones for the construction of the city were transported from remote quarries. So, the workers dragged them along wet clay slopes and dragged them on logs without using any equipment. And how the stones are perfectly polished! Even now, it’s impossible to push anything into the joints between the plates.
No wonder Machu Picchu since 1983 under the protection of UNESCO. And in 2007 he entered the list of New Wonders of the World.
Where is Machu Picchu
The mysterious city was built in the middle of the fifteenth century. Machu Picchu is located in the state of Peru. And more precisely, then a hundred kilometers from the capital of the Incan Empire - the city of Cuzco. The city is so hidden in the Andes mountains that even the Spanish colonialists could not find it.
The figure on the left shows the location of Machu Picchu on a world map.
By the way, for a long time no one knew anything about this wonder of the world. Among scientists, only legends about the mysterious city in Peru. And only in 1911 the city was discovered by the scientist Hiram Bingham from Yale University. By the way, the locals always knew where Machu Picchu is, but they were in no hurry to share their knowledge with the whole world.
Discovery story
By the way, the discoverer of Machu Picchu found the city by accident. In fact, Hiram Bingham was looking for a completely different place - the legendary Wilcabamba. According to legend, the Incas delivered all their gold and treasures, the mummies of the pharaohs and other riches to hide them from the Spanish conquerors. Hiram conducted his searches just in those mountains where Machu Picchu is located.
In Peru, the locals are not very talkative, so he really could not learn anything about Vmlkambamba. But here the scientist was lucky. In the mountains, he met a boy who was carrying a ceramic jug of water. The scientist immediately realized that this dish was not simple, and asked the child where he had taken it. And the boy for only a third of the dollar told him about the “heavenly city” and, by the simplicity of his soul, showed the way to him. So in 1911, the road was opened to the ancient Inca stronghold, which survived the rise and fall of their great empire.
City destination
Today it is reliably known for what purpose the Incas built this “heavenly city”. According to documents of the sixteenth century, Machu Picchu had the status of the residence of the Supreme Inca Pachakutek. After the death of the leader, the city began to be used as an academy for children from noble families. They studied astronomy and textile craftsmanship. Both men and women were trained.
There is also a version that the city had a military purpose. It was from here that control was ensured over tribes that obeyed the Incas, as well as over access to fertile lands and tropical regions in which fruits, pumpkins and other plants used in quackery were grown. At that time, these were the most important and necessary products.
Worship of the gods
Machu Pichku is also a religious city. As scientists have discovered, most of the buildings here are temples and palace buildings. The Inca civilization worshiped the deity Inti, which symbolized the Sun.
According to the few information that the scientists managed to find, not everyone could enter Machu Picchu, but only the elite - priests with their retinue, the highest nobility, as well as artisans recognized as the best (after all, not everyone could grow crops at an altitude of two kilometers). Mamakunas, virgins who were dedicated to serving the god Inti, were also allowed into the city.
Until today, the main city temple - Three Windows has been preserved. It was a key building in all the ancient rituals of the townspeople. Three rays of light that fall on the main square through the windows of the temple symbolize the three founders of the Inca Empire. According to legend, three deities entered this world through the windows of the temple of Machu Picchu, as the messengers of the god Inti.
Where did the people disappear?
The legendary city of Machu Picchu has been empty for a very long time. How long is not known. But in 1532, when the Spanish invaders invaded the territory of the Incan empire, the city was already empty. All residents mysteriously disappeared. What happened to them? Died or starved to death? Or maybe they left for another settlement? That we will probably never know.
There is a version that people left the city because of hunger. Machu Picchu was closely associated with the capital of the Cusco Empire. And when the Spaniards conquered the capital, the supply of provisions to Machu Picchu ceased. In order not to die of starvation, people left the city.
According to another version, the entire simple estate went to war with the Spaniards and fell in battle, and the nobles and priests took all their treasures and went to the legendary Vilcabamba. There are other versions, so the reason for the disappearance of the inhabitants may lie in something completely different.
Conclusions about how many Incas lived in Machu Picchu can be drawn from studies of the ruins of the city. The city had at least two hundred different buildings that were built of stone slabs. The blocks fit tightly together and worked well. After examining the internal layout and other smaller details, archaeologists determined that most of the buildings served to worship the gods, store food, etc. According to rough estimates, more than a thousand Incas lived in the city of Machu Picchu!
Artifacts
In 2011, a hundred years have passed since the city was opened. On that legendary day in 1911, Professor Hiram Bengham, discovering the city, explored it as far as possible. And the artifacts found there were taken to Yale.
Since then, Peru has repeatedly negotiated with the United States that the Inca legacy be returned to its homeland. And only in 2010, the US authorities finally signed an agreement.
In 2011, more than 4,000 artifacts found in Machu Picchu in Peru finally returned to their homeland. Today they are on display in the museum of Cuzco.
Young mountain
You can climb the Vaina Picchu ridge along a steep path directly from Machu Picchu. Of course, you saw a photo of this mountain. She is always pictured right behind Machu Picchu. Translated from the ancient Quechua language, this name means "Young Mountain."
Why is Vaina Picchu so interesting? Many temples and Inca buildings were also preserved there. However, the path to the young mountain is quite difficult and dangerous, and not everyone can overcome it. Only physically fit people can decide on such a trip.
There are a lot of people who wish to climb Vaina Picchu. But a limited number of people are allowed there. Only 400 people can make such a trip per day. If you want to go to Vaina Picchu, you must pre-purchase a double ticket at the ticket office: Machu Picchu + climb to Vaina Picchu. Such a ticket will cost only ten dollars more than usual, without a lift.
When to travel
You can go to Machu Picchu in Peru at any time of the year. As they say, when there is money, time and desire. There are two seasons here: dry and rainy.
The dry season is the most favorable, hot and at the same time convenient for travelers. It starts in April and ends in early October.
The temperature is even throughout the year. However, you must be prepared for sharp fluctuations in temperature during the day (25-27 degrees) and at night (up to 10-12 degrees).
For those who are not afraid of the weather and do not like crowds, the best time to travel to Machu Picchu is from the beginning of November to the end of February. Due to the weather, there are fewer tourists at this time. Therefore, you can safely walk through the ruins. Just do not forget to bring a raincoat or umbrella with you while traveling to Machu Picchu.
How to get there
So, you can endlessly talk about the beauty of this place, but it is better to see everything with your own eyes. Now, knowing where Machu Picchu is located, it is worth considering how to get to it. And the easiest way is to get to Machu Picchu from the capital of Peru - the city of Lima.
The trip will consist of three stages.
First: from Lima to Cuzco. You have to get by air. Spend an hour and a half on the flight. The city of Cuzco is located at an altitude of three and a half kilometers above sea level. Therefore, leaving the plane, you may be affected by the so-called mountain sickness. To counter it, drink tea with coca, chew this plant or buy special Sorojchi Pills tablets containing coca in its composition. Well, go slower.
To acclimatize faster, the next morning after arrival, go to Machu Picchu. The Inca Citadel is located at an altitude of two and a half kilometers above sea level, and there it will be much easier for you. And Cuzco can be seen on the way back. After all, this is the former capital of the Incan Empire, so there is also a lot of interesting things here.
Stage two: from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes. You need to get on the train. Aguas Calientes is the locality that is closest to Machu Picchu. A small town huddles at the foot of the mountains. It must be borne in mind that the train from Cuzco is the only possible route to Machu Picchu. Therefore, it is always crowded with tourists. To get to it and come with comfort, you must pre-purchase tickets on the special website of the railway of Peru.
The distance from Cuzco to the place of destination is rather big - 92 kilometers. You will spend more than three hours on the road. But you won’t be bored: from the windows of the train a magnificent view of the mountains opens. So do not forget the camera! By the way, if you do not plan to spend the night in Aguas Calientes, then immediately purchase a return ticket, so that you will spend no more than three hours in the Inca city. This will be enough.
Stage Three: from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. A direct bus runs from the city. It is already very close: about 25 minutes drive. A bus ticket is inexpensive: round trip - around $ 15.
Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu cost $ 45 per person. But keep in mind that you can only pay with local currency. So prepare the money in advance. Have a good trip and an unforgettable experience!