Machu Picchu: the lost city of the Incas

Let's discover the secrets of Machu Picchu, the most famous pre-Columbian city in the world. History, architecture, mystery and biodiversity on a journey between the past and nature.

Hidden among the clouds of the Peruvian Andes lies one of the most fascinating sites ever shaped by human hands: the archaeological complex of Machu Picchu. It is the third-largest of its kind, following the ones in Italia in Pompeii and Ostia Antica (Rome).

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the lost city of the Incas remains an extraordinary enigma carved in stone. It is a priceless jewel that tells the story of an empire and its deep connection with the sky and the earth. But who ordered its construction? And how did the ancient Incan engineers manage to build such a remarkable city in such a challenging location?

The origins of Machu Picchu: the masterpiece of the Inca empire

Machu Picchu, which means “old mountain” in Quechua, was built around 1440 at the behest of Emperor Pachacútec. This ruler transformed the Inca kingdom into a vast empire, stretching from modern-day Colombia to Argentina and Chile. After consolidating his rule, Pachacútec launched a series of ambitious architectural projects aimed at strengthening Incan political and religious power while leaving an indelible mark on history.

Machu Picchu is perhaps the most extraordinary of these projects: a sacred city built about 80 miles from Cuzco, the empire’s capital. It served strategic, spiritual, and propagandistic purposes.

An unparalleled engineering feat

Building Machu Picchu on a mountain ridge at an altitude of 7,710 feet was a monumental challenge. Incan engineers faced multiple obstacles: transporting enormous stone blocks, protecting the structures from torrential rains, and reinforcing the ground to prevent landslides. To overcome these issues, they developed an advanced system of terraces with a dual purpose: stabilizing the terrain while also facilitating agriculture and ensuring proper drainage through more than 130 channels.

Another major challenge was the procurement of materials. The Incas did not have pack animals or the wheel, but they used an ingenious solution: the site was naturally scattered with granite blocks, which they worked on-site. Builders carved stones directly from quarries, shaping them into convex forms to reduce friction during transport. These blocks were then dragged using plant fiber ropes, wooden sleds, and levers.

One of the most astonishing aspects of Incan construction techniques is the precision with which the stones fit together. No mortar was used, yet the blocks align perfectly due to a technique that involved shaping each stone to match its neighbors. This not only ensured exceptional structural stability but also made Machu Picchu highly resistant to earthquakes, which are frequent in the region.

The symbolic meaning of Machu Picchu

The original purpose of Machu Picchu remains a subject of scholarly debate. Some believe it was a winter retreat for the emperor, while others argue it was a ceremonial center or a spiritual retreat for the Incan elite.

The analysis of key buildings provides some clues. One of the most important structures is the temple dedicated to the Sun, the supreme Incan deity. Within this temple is a stone slab perfectly aligned with a window through which, on the winter solstice, the sun’s rays illuminate the rock’s surface—a sophisticated astronomical instrument. Another significant structure is the Intihuatana, a carved stone pillar believed to have been used to “tie” the sun, symbolically preventing it from straying too far during solstices.

The abandonment and rediscovery of the lost city

About a century after its construction, Machu Picchu was mysteriously abandoned, possibly due to the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in 1532. However, unlike other Incan cities, it was never discovered or plundered by the Spanish, remaining hidden in dense vegetation until the 20th century.

American explorer Hiram Bingham, a Yale professor, “rediscovered” Machu Picchu in 1911, guided by local inhabitants who had always known about the ruins. The significance of the discovery was immediately recognized, prompting Yale University to launch a series of archaeological expeditions to study and unearth the hidden treasures of the city.

The biodiversity of machu picchu

Beyond its historical significance, Machu Picchu is also an extraordinary natural sanctuary, situated between the Andes and the Peruvian Amazon. This unique environment is home to remarkable biodiversity, with many rare animal and plant species.

Among the most notable mammals are the puma, the spectacled bear, the viscacha, and the white-tailed deer. The area is also a paradise for birdwatchers, boasting over 420 bird species, including the majestic Andean condor and the vibrant Andean cock-of-the-rock.

Machu Picchu’s flora is equally impressive. Its cloud forests are home to more than 300 species of orchids, along with giant ferns, bromeliads, and other exotic plants, creating an enchanting and thriving ecosystem.

Machu Picchu today: a legacy to protect

Today, Machu Picchu is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, drawing over a million visitors each year. However, the growing influx of tourists poses a threat to the site’s preservation. To mitigate these risks, the Peruvian government has implemented strict regulations to limit daily visitors and protect Machu Picchu from the dangers of overtourism.