Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas

The ancient ruins of Machu Picchu were discovered in 1911 by Spanish archeologists. Believed to be centuries old, the ruins contain evidence of ancient Mayan civilization, dating from around A.D. 500. Tucked away in the spectacular mountainous terrain northwest of Cusco, Peru, Machu Picchu stands as a unique sacred religious site or royal inheritance for Inca rulers, whose culture was almost completely wiped out by Spanish explorers in the early 16th century.

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Today, the beautiful tropical mountain town of Machu Picchu can be visited by tourists who seek to experience the history and mystery that surrounded this amazing ruins. It is located on the eastern slopes of the majestic Andean ranges, within the boundaries of the extinct Ancash Culture, which once encompassed most of the western region of Peru. There are several interesting sites and activities in and around Machu Picchu, including hiking, trekking, hot air ballooning, and visiting the scenic terraces. The history and significance of the site can also be explored through visiting the museums, monuments, and villages of the Inca Empire.

The history of Machu Picchu was shrouded in obscurity for many years, and only in the last decade has it been revealed that the site originally served as a strategic location for the Inca. The first clues to its original purpose were found in the ruined terraces of the lost civilization. Overlooking the banks of the river of the Sun, these dark, narrow passageways were used by the warriors of the Inca as pathways and concealaways to attack or retreat from enemy armies.

From the perspective of modern day travelers and historians, it has been revealed that the original purpose of the lost civilization of Machu Picchu was not to dwell on religious matters or as a center for political battles. Instead, it was used as an ancient temple complex, and even as a massive citadel. What was meant by the Spaniards when they retook the lost city of Machu Picchu was not to find an understanding of the history of Peru, but to understand and harness the vast power of their new country. The intent of the Incas and their conquistadors was to rediscover the secrets of their forgotten past.

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As was the intention of their priests, the Incas required the assistance of a powerful magic spell to remove ads from their bodies. Machu Picchu's sacred temples were constructed out of a special stone, which has eluded modern science to this day. The Incas used the stones to make a "laying-on" of their faith and power. These stones also protected them from evil spirits. The only way to remove the magic of the stones was to purify the " altar " they placed beneath it, a process which led to the eventual destruction of the sacred temples by the Spanish forces.

In addition to the sacred temple that protected the Incas from evil, the intihuada was also guarded by the stones. It is located at the base of the Machu Picchu Temple. This sacred place was destroyed in the Mayopian period of the nineteenth century due to dynamite that accidentally exploded nearby. Today the site is only accessible by hwy Nahuatl. But in the older times, local farmers would hike to the Intihuatana where they prayed for rain and the re-building of their crops.

Machu Picchu was also known as Cusco. This was because the Incas built the Inca citadel here, and the region around it was sacred to them. Just as in Cusco and Peru, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is rich in history. Excavations have revealed the ruins of the lost city of Xochicalco, and stone sculptures located at the site of the now-defunct Machu Picchu. The captivating vistas, romantic landscapes and awe-inspiring ancient ruins have made the region famous worldwide.

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Visitors to Cusco will not regret visiting the beautiful town of Bingor, which is situated on the eastern slopes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visitors can see the lovely town of Cusco and its surrounding areas with a vehicle-based tour. Alternatively, you can book a coach tour to Banyalu, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, and the Eastern Slopes. Tour operators at the Peruvian tour company are ready to help you plan your visit to the spectacular cities of Cusco and Ollantaytambo, and will also arrange trips to Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

References

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/secrets

https://www.history.com/topics/south-america/machu-picchu

https://www.machupicchu.org/lost_city_of_machu_picchu.htm

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