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SURROUNDINGS
Three thousand feet above Urubamba Valley, Peru, stretch two
mountains, Machu Picchu (Old Mountain) and Huayna Picchu (Young
Mountain). On a cloud-draped ridge between the two peaks lies the
site of Machu Picchu, part of the estate of the Inca king Pachacuti
[AD 1438-1471]. The site is made up of single buildings arranged in
groups, along streets, adjacent to plazas and terraces. Most of the
buildings are residences, some of white granite masonry such as that
seen in the city of Cuzco. Some of the buildings, which must have
been for special purposes, are partly carved into the bedrock and
partly built from finely cut white granite.
Due to its impressive buildings and gorgeous natural surroundings,
Machu Picchu is among the seven "wonders of the world". |
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HUAYNA
PICCHU
The "Young mountain" in the Quechua language.
Machu Picchu represents the face of the Inca looking upward towards
the sky, with the largest peak, Huayna Picchu (meaning Young Peak),
representing his pierced nose and also the duality templance and
balance withing Machupicchu (Machupicchu = Old Mountain and
Huaynapicchu =Joung mountain)
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THE
MOON TEMPLE
The magnificent and extraordinary artistic skill of the Incas is
really amazing. The Moon Temple is one more instance of their
incredibly sophisticated constructions. Although the site is really
small, it amazes one with the perfection of its chisel work.
This archaeological site is located halfway up to Waynapijchu, on
its northern flank. Its builders carved a great temple inside a
cave, with niches and fake doors inserted in the stones, with an
enormous 8 meter high by 6 meter wide entrance. Its finish is really
delicate and it is remarkably located. Its features make theorists
believe that it must have been a royal tomb, place of worship and
look-out post.
The premises are rectangular with the rocks of the mountains as
walls. Its three doors are 1.60 meters high (in the front) and 1.00
m high (at the sides). Inside, there are six trapezoidal niches. The
"temple", strictly speaking, consists of a major platform supporting
a building which is raised 5 meters above the ground, with an 8
meter-high entrance. To the left, there are five new trapezoidal
niches with a double jamb, composing one of the most delicate works
of masonry in the area of Machu Picchu.
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INTIPUNCU
OR GATE OF THE SUN
Following the path leading to Machu Picchu to the south-east,
approximately 1 ½ miles away, tourists can reach the so called Inti
Punku (Sun-gate) from where we will have the most amazing picture of
Machu picchu. The Inti Punku is an important archeaological site
that was originally a fortress of the sacred city, reached through
the still-accessible "inti ñan" or "royal path". It is interesting
to note the presence of altars or resting stones, which could have
had a liturgical purpose, since Bingham called the facades, which
were built at intervals, "ritual stations".
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THE
DRAWBRIDGE
This bridge is located about 30 minutes from Machu Picchu on a
narrow path through the jungle. It served as a defense on one of the
few entrances to the city This singular drawbridge is part of one of
the most dangerous trails in the city. The trail begins in the "Building
with Ten Windows" to the south of the citadel. It is a narrow path
daringly located on the flanks of a granite mountain. The 1 ½ mile
pathway is abruptly interrupted after a hairpin bend, giving way to
a precipice, spanned by a narrow drawbridge made of logs.
Thus, the logs are easily removable in case of danger. The bridge
and the path were built taking proper safety measures into
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Huayna Picchu
The
Moon Temple
Intipunku
The DrawBridge |
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