Machu Picchu

The sacred city of Machu Picchu (in Quechua: old mountain) is the greatest Inca
masterpiece. Incredibly daring and inventive, it was built on the most difficult, wild and
inaccessible mountain area available. It is known world-wide not only for its impressive
and unique ruins, but also for its unusual location on the edge of an abyss, from which one
can appreciate the vigorous waters of the Urubamba river.

How the Incas were able to carry the huge blocks of stone to the top of the mountain and
build such a spectacular exponent of their wisdom and culture remains a mystery to this
day.

Architectural structure of Machu Picchu

Of religious and military origin, the sacred city of Machu Picchu was enclosed by a 6-meter
high by 1.8 wide wall. According to the archaeologist Alfredo Valencia, Machu Picchu can
be divided into two major sections: the urban and the agricultural. Each part encloses two
sub-sections - the western and eastern - which are defined in relation to their topographic
location.

The agricultural sector

The agricultural section is divided into higher and lower ground. The high ground consists
of five premises, the shrine (pile of stones marking a holy site) and over 40 platforms. The
low ground, meanwhile, comprises seven premises, four "canchones" (open areas) and
approximately 80 platforms.

Some of the numerous agricultural terraces, which are placed in succession, are
connected by stone stairways fitted in the walls, while others are linked by various set of
stone steps forming corridors. The layout of the terraces and platforms is in perfect
harmony with the mountains surrounding the site. Thus, the hillsides seem to be sculpted
to harmonize with nature.

The urban sector

This sector, which is clearly separated from the former by a perimeter wall, was only
approachable through an imposing double jamb facade. This architectural detail was
typical of the building style of the Incas. The Inca Trail, which ends in this sector, links the
city of Cusco with Machu Picchu. The urban section is composed of 172 premises of the
most diverse shapes and size, connected by 109 stairways which allowed Incas to walk
over the uneven surface of Machu Picchu.

Neighborhoods
The premises were organized in "neighborhoods", each with its specific functions as
determined by their formal characteristics and the cultural clues found during excavations,
such as the area used as a storehouse for corn or coca, which were grown on the
terraces.

A different area stands out because of the large number of mortars there (16), which were
probably used to make chicha (an alcoholic drink made from fermented maize), this still
being a popular drink in Andean religious festivities. A third sector includes the residences
used by local people to carry out specialized productive activities, religious worship or the
administration of agricultural products.

The finish
Some premises are remarkable for the exquisite and delicately worked finish of the walls,
comparable to the fine buildings existing in the Cusco, such as the Coricancha or the
Acllahuasi. These were, possibly, the most important buildings in the area.

The "Gran Plaza" (main square) and Sacramental Areas

The premises encircle two minor squares and a big public square in the middle of the
urban sector. There also are several buildings which evidently served a ceremonial
function. Among the most outstanding sites we can mention the "Templo de las Tres
Ventanas" (Three-windowed Temple) and the Intihuatana (5), a stone carved specifically
to carry out astronomic observations. We can also observe here a complex of sanitary and
fountain systems. It is undeniable that the harmony projected by Machu Picchu through its
holy spaces and landscapes symbolizes the Inca principles and way of life.

A unique site
It is evident that Machu Picchu was a carefully planned construction, meticulously
designed to match the natural environment. It is the result of a mixture of unique
experiences, where the work of human beings marvelously blends with the work of nature.
The uneven topography was cleverly transformed into terraces with agricultural and urban
functions. The landscape embraces at least two dozen rocky outcrops, forming a big
"mock-up", representing the surrounding landscape.