Machu Picchu - Machupicchu ...

Enveloped in a magical silence, 120 km (74 miles) northwest of Cuzco on the slopes above the Urubabamba River, lies one of the most beautiful archaeological sites on the planet. Some also consider it to be a mystical place that exudes vital energy. Machu Picchu 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 meaning old mountain. It is strategically located to elude enemies and is surrounded by deep canyons and impressive mountains, which the Incas called Apus or guardian gods. The whole area is covered in thick vegetation.

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, plazas, storage rooms, workshops, stairways, and fountains; and the agricultural area made up of various types of terraces for cultivation.

The local people knew of the ruins long ago. In 1911, the 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', initially confused with Old Vilcabamba, where Manco Inca sought refuge from the Spanish.

The citadel is believed to have been fundamentally for religious purposes. Bingham found a cemetery exclusively of women, which led him to believe it was an immense monastery of acllas (young women) and a retreat and resting place for the Cuzco sovereign. Its construction possibly dates to the times of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, the final era of the Inca empire. The Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary (32,592 hectares - 80,536 acres) is a natural reserve, which UNESCO declared a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in 1983.