Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a tourist center of Peru, where you can get to know the long-standing Inca architecture. This ancient city is hidden in green jungle on top of a mountain at an altitude of about 2.5 kilometers above sea level. Due to the location of the buildings among impregnable cliffs, the name of the city in translation means « old mountain ». There are other names – « a city in heaven », « a city among clouds », « a lost city of the Incas ».
This mysterious city was erected in the 15th century by order of the ruler of the Incas Pachakutek as a royal residence. Archaeologists believe that the rulers and priests of the most ancient nation lived in Machu Picchu, the best representatives of the Inca tribe arrived here. It was a religious, cultural and political center.
On the territory of about 30 thousand hectares there are stone buildings, terraces, azhur crossings and stairs with a total of about two hundred are equipped. The structures were built using stones and huge blocks weighing more than 50 tons, they were carefully adjusted one to one without using a bonding solution. Durable and durable structures were built on the principle of puzzles. The surface of the stones was sanded using the juice of a specific plant that softened the stones. The secrets of this plant were discovered by the Incas, watching the birds « hakakllo ». Architectural masterpieces testify to the high accuracy and professionalism of the masters.
The city of Machu Picchu itself is divided into two parts: the first – urban, where temples, palaces, water sources and the second – agricultural, where terraces for agriculture were equipped, rise.
The most important structures are the Holy Square, the Temple of Three Windows and the Temple of the Sun. On two sides of the Holy Square are the largest temples, including the Temple of Three Windows, striking with its power. This temple has only three walls, the fourth remains open. On one of the walls are three trapezius-shaped windows.
The unusual building of the Temple of the Sun is that the stones that were used for its erection are very carefully processed, turning them into bricks.
For reasons unknown to this day, the city was abandoned by the population, for several centuries remaining forgotten and abandoned. The ruins of the forgotten city of Machu Picchu were reopened in 1911 by archaeologist Hiram Bingham. All buildings have survived to this day in good condition.
A large number of representatives of flora and fauna live on the territory, here you can find many freely walking llamas. The city of Machu Picchu is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
