"MACHU PICCHU - IncasīMasterpiece " a Machu Picchu Travel Page by ThiagoRamos

Machu Picchu ("Old Peak" in Qechua) is located in Peru, above the Urubamba Valley (2400 ms high), 70 Km from Cusco. The Lost City of the Incas, which was completely forgotten by the outside world, was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an american historian that was led there by locals who frequented the site.

The existence of the citadel at such a hidden location (you must go there to understand it) is surrounded by mystery and controversial theories. It is believed that the city was built by Inca Leader Pachacutec, around 1440, and was inhabited until the spanish conquest of Peru, in 1532.

Archeologists believe that Machu Picchu was not an ordinary city, but a country retreat town for inca nobility, and was inhabited by a maximum of 1200 people at a time, but most of these would leave the town during the rainy season.

Some believe that it was a settlement built with the purpose of protecting the incan aristocracy in the event of an attack, but nowadays the most accepted theory is that the site was selected because of its unique location and geological features so it was probably a sacred place to incas, instead of a defensive retreat.

The city is divided in 2 main sectors:

- the Agricultural Sector, consisting of stepped terraces for cultivation on the slopes of surrounding mountains;

and

- the Urban Sector, far more interesting for the ordinary visitor, has the shape of an "U" and consists of 2 big architectural groups with ordinary houses, small squares, palaces and temples.

Enjoy your visit!!!