The historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the modern world, will be 110-years-old on July 24, 2021, when Yale University professor Hiram Bingham rediscovers it and makes the existence of this city known to the world of the Empire of the Incas, as in July 1902 the Peruvian Agustín Lizárraga had arrived in that area of the Peruvian jungle in the company of other locals.
On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was declared as one of the seven modern wonders in the world and one of the most important archaeological remains in South America.
This archeological treasure is located in the northeast of the Cuzco region of present-day Peru, part of that Inca civilisation that extended over a territory of 2,500,000sqkm, with a coastline of 4,023km, reaching present-day Colombia from the North, and Chile from the South, including territories of Ecuador, Argentina and Bolivia.
Its wonderful existence for more than 500 years, still keeps researchers mysterious to know exactly if it was a defence fortress. Its construction continues to be a mystery, and its location at 2,450 metres above sea level, with 200 structures, in a beautiful and disconcerting place with an Inca road from the capital of the Empire, Cuzco (navel of the world) has left an inexhaustible legacy cultural.
In the 15th century, the Incas came to power, known as great builders, as demonstrated in this region and on the roads that communicated to the Inca’s civilisation. They ruled for only 100 years and it is believed that they were decimated by diseases, a civil war and then by the conquerors of Spain who by the way did not get to know Machu Picchu.
They were looking for a lost city of Vilcabamba, where Incas would have taken refuge. A city that has also been discovered by Hiram Bingham.
As a religious sanctuary, it is supported by the existence of the temples of the Three Windows, the Condor Group and the Temple of the Sun, and in the centre and at the top the Intihuatana, which also corresponds to the cardinal points.
It is probable that it was built by an Inca in a time of 50 years, and it was the Inca Yupanqui, who came to be Pachacutec who decided to carry out this construction, as he was one of the ones that expanded the empire territorially.
Granite quarries have been found, a material used in its construction, and its location due to the steepness of the site required a work from the bottom up with platforms or terraces, to achieve a good drainage mechanism, due to the abundant water from the springs and the rain in that area of Peru.
Where is Machu Picchu (Old Mountain in the Quechua language) to its constant is the Young Mote or Huayna Picchu, which forms that harmony with nature and the landscape where the sacred for the ancient Peruvians is combined: The mountains (Apus) , the Pachamama (mother earth), water and its sacred river, the Urubamba.
It is located five days away from Cuzco, through the Inca Trail and four hours on a train that follows the route of the Urubamba river with majestic landscapes, difficult to forget once we visit.
When National Geographic published an article on the works of Hiram Birhan, it referred to everything being intact in 1911, and said “it takes my breath away” looking at it; sensation that all visitors experience when admiring this work of engineering and architecture.
It feels like a telluric energy that transmits a spiritual peace.
Our Inca culture with its language Quechua, the official language of Peru, with Castilian, had as its capital Cuzco, a beautiful city that was classified by Unesco as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 1983.
This ancient marvel of the fourteenth century, offers us great satisfaction now and always, due to its unique construction character, and to which I hope you visit it, while enjoying the kindness of the Peruvian, their hospitality and the uniqueness of Peru’s internationally gastronomy recognized worldwide.
The empire of the Incas was described as one of the greatest civilizations of the world by the father of modern history, Arnold J. Toynbee.
This civilisation among others are worth mentioning such as: Caral, Chavín, Paracas, Mochica, Chimú, Nazca, Huari, Tiahuanaco, and many more.
With enormous generosity and kindness, Peruvian people are waiting to welcome you in the near future.
