A short guide about Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, the very name evokes images of a fabulous lost city, hidden deep in the jungles of Peru. This ancient city hidden in the Sacred Valley is one of the most popular attractions in South America. You can travel there by train from Cuzco or take a hike or trekking tour and walk in by the Inca Trail.
One of the most popular archeological sites of the world the Citadel of Machu Picchu (meaning Old Mountain) is known throughout the world for its amazing ruins and its unusual location on a high mountain overlooking the mighty currents of the Urubamba river.
Often called "The Lost City of the Incas" based on historical accounts, construction style and ceramics inital inhabitation was prior to 1300. Forgotten for centuries by all except for a few locals, the site was brought to worldwide attention in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American historian. Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction, it was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Machu Picchu is located 2300 meters above sea level at 112 km. 70 miles from Cusco, in the valley of Urubamba in the lowest part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas in a area of direct access to the upper jungle. Without doubt, Machu Picchu was part of a very big complex of fortresses which defended the Andean lands in Sacred valley of any assault from indian people out of the Jungle.
Having Huayna Picchu as a background they divided Machu Picchu in four sectors. Northwest is located the area that was probably used for the main religious purposes, that includes a Plaza named by Hiram Bingham as "Sacred Plaza", also the temple of the "Three Windows", "The Sacred Temple", the "Priests Mansion", and the "Intihuatana" that is a large block of limestone used during Inca ceremonies.