Machu Picchu are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world. It built during the 1460 and 1470 AD in the Andes Mountains in Peru by classical Inca style(Dry Stone). Machu Picchu referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", it rediscovered in 1911.
Inca Wall
The Incas started building it around AD 1430 but was abandoned as an official site for the Inca rulers a hundred years later at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Although known locally, it was largely unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by Hiram Bingham(an American archaeologist). Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction.
Intihuatana:
The Intihuatana (also called the Saywa or Sukhanka stone) is meaning 'Hitching Post of the Sun'. It is an intriguing carved rock whose shape mimics that of Huayna Picchu, the sacred peak rising beyond the ruins. Though the Incas created rocks like this for all their important ritual centers, Intihuatana is one of the few not destroyed by the Spanish Conquistadores.
Wayna Picchu:
Wayna Picchu also called as Huayna Picchu is a mountain in Peru around which the Urumbamba River bends.Incas built a trail up the side of the Huayna Picchu and built temples and terraces on its top. The peak of Huayna Picchu is about 2,720 metres above sea level, or about 360 metres higher than Machu Picchu. The top of the mountain was the residence for the high priest and the local virgins. Every morning before sunrise, the high priest with a small group would walk to Machu Picchu to signal the coming of the new day.
Three temples in Machu Picchu
Temple of Sun:
The Temple of the Sun was used to honor and celebrate Inti, the Sun, an important Incan deity. When the sun of the winter solstice enters through the central window, it falls directly on the large ceremonial stone. The round building protects the stone.
Temple of Moon:
The Temple covers the entire landscape of the slopes of Huayna Picchu and consists of a set of architecturally enhanced caves, most likely used to hold mummies of important Inca ancestors and provide places for their worship. More fine stonework embellishes the walls of these caves, some of which are decorated with niches and altars carved into the native rock.
Temple of Condor:
The temple of condor is a breathtaking example of Inca stonemasonry. A natural rock formation began to take shape millions of years ago and the Inca skillfully shaped the rock into the outspread wings of a condor in flight. On the floor of the temple is a rock carved in the shape of the condor's head and neck feathers, completing the figure of a three-dimensional bird.
Here the good view of Machu Picchu:
