WHC Nomination Documentation

File name: 274.pdf UNESCO Region LATIN AMERICAN AND

THE CARIBBEAN

SITE NAME ("TITLE") Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

DATE OF INSCRIPTION ("SUBJECT") 9/12/1983

STATE PARTY ("AUTHOR") PERU

CRITERIA ("KEY WORDS") N (ii)(iii) C (i)(iii)

DECISION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE:

7th Session
The Committee noted that this site is inscribed for both its cultural and natural values, as this
property also meets natural criteria (ii) and (iii). The Committee furthermore recommended
that to enhance the cultural and natural value of this property, the site should be extended to
include the lower courses of the Urubamba River and the sites of Pisac and Ollantaytambo in
the "Valley of the Gods".

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
At 2,430 metres above sea level, on a mountain site of extraordinary beauty, in the middle of a
tropical mountain forest, Machu Picchu was probably the most amazing urban creation of the
Inca Empire at its height, with its giant walls, terraces and ramps, which appear as though they
have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting on the eastern
slope of the Andes encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of species.

1.b. State, province or region: The historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu is situated on the left
bank of the Vilcanota river, between its tributaries the Kusichaca and Aobamba rivers, in the
department of Cuzco, Urubamba Province, District of Macchu Picchu.

1.d Exact location: The archaeological complex of Macchu Picchu, located within the
sanctuary, lies to the northwest of the city of Cuzco, at 112,5 km distance by railway.
Lat. 13°07' S ; Long. 72°35' W

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