Machu Picchu Wonder of the World. Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and the main tourist destination for visitors to South America, and of course, Peru. The name of Machu Picchu comes from the Quechua “Machu” which translated into English means “old” and “Picchu” which means “Mountain or hill.” That is, when it comes to Machupicchu, we speak of the Old Mountain. Machu Picchu is the current name of this great Wonder of the World; in the time of the Incas Machu Picchu’s original name would have been Picho or Picchu.
Where is Machu Picchu Located? The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is located in the rocky promontory that connects the mountains of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu in the province of Urubamba in Cuzco, 130 miles from the ancient Inca capital, current capital of the region.
Why Visit Machu Picchu? Machu Picchu awakens the interest of millions of tourists who want to visit this great wonder. Tourist from all over the world travel to learn about its monumental buildings which are considered as masterpieces of architecture and engineering, and to experience the aura that surrounds the great Sanctuary of Machupicchu.
Why was Machu Picchu Built? The wonder of Machu Picchu has long been known as a Citadel or Fortress which, in fact, is totally wrong since it was not at all built with military purposes; on the contrary, we can now say that the purpose of Machu Picchu was that of a temple or a religious Sanctuary. In addition, it was also a retreat for the first Inca emperor, Pachacutec.
Who were the first settlers of Machu Picchu? Archaeological and anthropological studies suggest that the first settlers of the area of Machu Picchu were people who belonged to the region of Ayamarca and who, at the same time, were the enemies of the first Incas when the Inca empire was not yet established and the total territory reached Cuzco and some nearby territories.
The Ayamarcas developed agriculture in the area in about 760 BC. There have not been found remains of buildings which were erected during this period. The emperor Pachacutec, in its expansionist policy, conquered the territory and asked its people to build a luxurious building, a civil and religious urban complex by the year 1450. We can now appreciate the magnificence of Machu Picchu, One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Why was Machu Picchu abandoned? With the death of Pachacutec, Machu Picchu lost its importance. Then with the arrival of Spanish, the area is completely abandoned by Inca nobles still living there. There are documents that demonstrate the knowledge of the Spanish about the citadel of Machu Picchu and later by researchers such as Antonio Raimondi or Charles Wiener. So it is a mistake to refer to Hiram Bingham as the discoverer of Machu Picchu since the sanctuary was never lost; but the one who showed Machu Picchu to the world.
What was Hiram Bingham’s work? Bingham’s work was to study the place and get support from Yale University, the National Geographic Society, and the Peruvian government in power at the time. Machu Picchu was presented to the world in 1913 when an article about the Great Wonder of the World was published in the famous magazine National Geographic. Since then, Machu Picchu has become one of the most important tourist destinations not only of Cusco Peru, but also of Peru and the world. This architectural and cultural masterpiece has received lots of awards and prizes along these years including one as “One of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World”.
Shouldn’t your next experience in Machu Picchu Peru be unforgettable? Visiting this great wonder of the world is a magnificent experience! Consider travelling with friends and family and enjoy the nature and mistery of this magic place! Contact our travel experts whether you still have some questions or whether you want to book a hotel in Peru. Choose one of our best and well-crafted Peru travel packages and have a great time!
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