Imbued with a magical silence, 74 miles from Cusco on the slopes above the Urubamba River, lies one of the world's most extraordinary archaeological sites. Some also consider it to be a mystical place that exudes vital energy. Machu Picchu (7872 feet), is remarkable for its solid construction, its well-balanced use of space and the harmony of the design with its natural surroundings. Its name comes from the ancient Quechua word that means old mountain.
The site was built entirely of stone, using every space in harmony with function. There are two main sections: the urban area, which includes temples, palaces, stairways and fountains; and the agricultural area made up of vaious types of terraces for cultivation.
The local people knew of the ruins long ago. In 1911, the peasant guide Melchor Arteaga led professor Hiram Bingham to Machu Picchu. Bingham returned in 1914 with the support of Yale University and the National Geographic Society and since then, Machu Picchu has been known as the "Lost City of the Incas" (an initial confusion with Old Vilcabamba).
The Machu Picchu Historical Sancutary (80,255 acres) is a natural reserve, which UNESCO declared a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in 1983.
(information from Prom Perú, Commission for the Promotion of Perú www.peru.org.pe )
Machu Picchu (Old Mountain) as seen from Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain). Photo by: Julie Lozada Ocampo
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