Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca city located in the Andes Mountains of southern Peru, at an altitude of 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level.
It was built in the 15th century during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti, but abandoned in the 16th century following the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire.
Machu Picchu is considered one of the most well-preserved archaeological sites of the Inca civilization.
The site is famous for its advanced dry-stone construction, where stones fit together so precisely that no mortar was used.
Machu Picchu was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham, an American explorer, in 1911, though local people were already aware of it.
It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and it is often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas.
The site includes terraces, temples, plazas, and a large central square, with key structures like the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana (a stone ritual stone), and the Room of the Three Windows.
Machu Picchu was likely used as a royal estate, a religious center, or a ceremonial site.
The site is also a popular tourist destination, drawing millions of visitors each year, often reached by the Inca Trail or train from Aguas Calientes.
Machu Picchu is part of the larger Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, which includes other archaeological sites and natural landscapes.
The site is divided into two main areas: the Upper Town (where the main temples and plazas are located) and the Lower Town (which includes agricultural terraces).
The Inca Trail, a trekking route that leads to Machu Picchu, is one of the most famous hiking trails in the world.
Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca city located in the Andes Mountains of southern Peru, at an altitude of 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level.
It was built in the 15th century during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti, but abandoned in the 16th century following the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire.
Machu Picchu is considered one of the most well-preserved archaeological sites of the Inca civilization.
The site is famous for its advanced dry-stone construction, where stones fit together so precisely that no mortar was used.
Machu Picchu was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham, an American explorer, in 1911, though local people were already aware of it.
It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and it is often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas.
The site includes terraces, temples, plazas, and a large central square, with key structures like the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana (a stone ritual stone), and the Room of the Three Windows.
Machu Picchu was likely used as a royal estate, a religious center, or a ceremonial site.
The site is also a popular tourist destination, drawing millions of visitors each year, often reached by the Inca Trail or train from Aguas Calientes.
Machu Picchu is part of the larger Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, which includes other archaeological sites and natural landscapes.
The site is divided into two main areas: the Upper Town (where the main temples and plazas are located) and the Lower Town (which includes agricultural terraces).
The Inca Trail, a trekking route that leads to Machu Picchu, is one of the most famous hiking trails in the world.
