Travels, Exotic places
Where is Machu Picchu? How to get to the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu?
Of course, everyone has heard of the mysterious city of Machu Picchu. This place, which conceals a mystery, not solved until now. This monument is one of the seven new wonders of the world. Do you know where Machu Picchu is located, why is it so unique? Let's figure it out.
The Old Mountain
Machu Picchu has several names. The first is the "old mountain". This is how Machu Picchu is translated from the ancient Quechua language. The ancient city is so organically integrated into the surrounding landscape that it was called "the sky-high city" or "heavenly city". There it appears at the top that the triangular roofs of small houses are part of the landscape.
The Inca city of Machu Picchu is an architectural masterpiece. In order to build such a structure, the builders had to have knowledge in geology, topography, ecology and astronomy. After the construction of the Incas, natural mountain slopes were used and made the buildings stable even in case of slopes and earthquakes.
Machu Picchu is an incredible building! How this could be built, is still a mystery. After all, the stones for the construction of the city were transported from remote quarries. So, the workers dragged them on wet clay slopes and dragged them on logs without using any machinery. And how the stones are perfectly polished! Even now, in the joints between the plates, nothing will come out.
Not for nothing Machu Picchu since 1983 under the protection of UNESCO. And in 2007 he entered the list of New Wonders of the World.
Where is Machu Picchu
A mysterious city was built in the middle of the fifteenth century. Machu Picchu is located in the territory of the State of Peru. And more precisely, a hundred kilometers from the capital of the Inca Empire - the city of Cuzco. The city is so secretly hidden in the Andes mountains that even Spanish colonizers could not find it.
The picture on the left shows the location of Machu Picchu on the world map.
By the way, about this miracle of the world for a long time no one knew anything. Among scientists, only legends about the mysterious city in Peru. And only in 1911 the city was discovered by scientist Heirem Bingham of Yale University. By the way, locals always knew where Machu Picchu is, but they did not hurry to share their knowledge with the whole world.
History of the discovery
By the way, the discoverer Machu Picchu found the town by accident. In fact, Khairem Bingham was looking for a completely different place - the legendary Wilcabamba. According to legend, the Incas delivered all their gold and treasures, mummies of pharaohs and other riches to hide them from the Spanish conquerors. Khayrem led his searches in precisely the mountains where Machu Picchu is located.
In Peru, locals are not particularly talkative, so he did not really know anything about Vulcambamba. But here the scientist was lucky. In the mountains he met a boy who carried a ceramic jug of water. The scientist immediately realized that this dish is not simple, and asked the child where he took it. And the boy for only a third of the dollar told him about the "heavenly city" and by the simplicity of his soul pointed the way to it. So in 1911 the road to the ancient citadel of the Incas was opened, which survived the flowering and fall of their great empire.
Destination of the city
Today it is reliably known for what purpose the Incas built this "heavenly city". According to documents of the sixteenth century, Machu Picchu had the status of the residence of the Supreme Inca Pachacuteca. After the death of the leader, the city began to be used as an academy for children from noble births. Here we studied astronomy and textile craftsmanship. Training was conducted by both men and women.
There is also a version that the city had a military purpose. It was from here that control over tribes that were subordinate to the Incas was provided, as well as access to fertile lands and tropical regions where fruits, pumpkins and other plants used in medicine were grown. At that time these were the most important and necessary products.
Worship of the Gods
Machu Pichku is also a religious city. As scientists discovered, most of the buildings here are temples and palace buildings. The Inca civilization worshiped the deity Inti, which symbolized the Sun.
According to the little information that the scientists managed to find, not all of them could enter Machu Picchu, but only the chosen ones-the priests with the retinue, the highest nobility, and also the artisans recognized as the best (after all, not everyone could grow the crop at an altitude of two kilometers). The city was also allowed to mamakunas - virgins, who dedicated themselves to serving the god Inti.
Where did the people disappear?
The legendary city of Machu Picchu is empty for a long time. How long has been known. But in 1532, when the Spanish invaders invaded the territory of the Inca Empire, the city was already empty. All the inhabitants mysteriously disappeared. What happened to them? Killed or died of hunger? Maybe they went to another settlement? We probably never will know that.
There is a version that people left the city because of hunger. Machu Picchu was closely connected with the capital of the Empire of Cuzco. And when the Spanish conquered the capital, the supply of provisions to Machu Picchu ceased. In order not to die a hungry death, people left the city.
According to another version, all the simple estate went to war with the Spaniards and fell in battle, and nobles and priests took all their treasures and went to the legendary Vilcabamba. There are other versions, so the reason for the disappearance of residents may be covered and in something completely different.
Conclusions on how many Incas lived in Machu Picchu, can be done by researching the ruins of the city. In the city there were at least two hundred different buildings that were built from stone slabs. The blocks were tightly fitted to each other and worked well. Investigating the internal layout and other smaller details, archaeologists have determined that most of the buildings served to worship the gods, store food, etc. According to rough estimates, more than a thousand Incas lived in the city of Machu Picchu!
Artifacts
In 2011, a hundred years passed since the opening of the city. On that legendary day in 1911, Professor Harem Bengham, discovering the city, explored it as far as possible. And the artifacts found there were taken to Yale.
Since then, Peru and the United States of America have repeatedly negotiated that the legacy of the Incas be returned to their homeland. And only in 2010, the US authorities finally signed an agreement.
In 2011, more than 4000 artifacts found in Machu Picchu in Peru, finally returned to their homeland. Today they are exhibited in the museum of the city of Cusco.
Young mountain
On the Vine-Picchu range, you can climb a steep path directly from the city of Machu Picchu. Of course, you saw the photo of this mountain. She is always portrayed immediately after Machu Picchu. In translation from the ancient Quechua language this name means "Young Mountain".
What is so interesting about Vaina-Picchu? There are also many temples and inhabited buildings of the Incas. However, the path to the young mountain is difficult and dangerous, and not everyone can overcome it. Decisions on such a journey can only be made by physically well-trained people.
There are many who want to make the ascent to Vaina-Pikchu. But they allow a limited number of people. On the day, only 400 people can make such a trip. If you want to go to Vaina-Picchu, you need to purchase a double ticket in advance: Machu Picchu + climb to Vaina-Picchu. This ticket will cost only ten dollars more than usual, without lifting.
When to go on a trip
You can go to Machu Picchu in Peru at any time of the year. As they say, when there is money, time and desire. There are two seasons: dry and rainy.
The dry season is most favorable, hot and at the same time convenient for travelers. It starts in April and ends in early October.
The temperature is flat throughout the year. However, it is necessary to be ready for sudden fluctuations in temperature during the day (25-27 degrees) and at night (up to 10-12 degrees).
For those who are not afraid of the weather and do not like crowds, the best time to travel to Machu Picchu is from the beginning of November to the end of February. At this time because of the weather here the smallest number of tourists. Therefore, you can safely stroll through the ruins. Just do not forget to take a raincoat or an umbrella with you, going to Machu Picchu at this time.
How to get there
So, you can talk endlessly about the beauty of this place, but it's better to see everything with your own eyes. Now, knowing where Machu Picchu is, you should think about how to get to it. And the easiest way is to get to Machu Picchu from the capital of Peru - the city of Lima.
The trip will consist of three stages.
First: from Lima to Cuzco. It is necessary to get by air. On the flight spend an hour and a half. The city of Cuzco is located at an altitude of three and a half kilometers above sea level. Therefore, leaving the plane, you can get under the influence of the so-called mountain sickness. To resist it, drink tea with coca, chew this plant or buy special Sorojchi Pills tablets containing coca in its composition. Well, go slower.
To acclimatize faster, the next morning after your arrival, go to Machu Picchu. The Inca citadel is located at a height of two and a half kilometers above sea level, and there it will be much easier for you. And Cusco can be seen on the way back. This is the former capital of the Inca Empire, so here too there is much interesting.
Stage two: from Cuzco - to Aguas Calientes. Get on the train. Aguas Calientes is a settlement that is closest to Machu Picchu. A small town huddles at the foot of the mountains. It must be borne in mind that the train from Cuzco is the only possible way to Machu Picchu. Therefore, it is always crowded with tourists. To get on it and come with comfort, you must purchase tickets in advance on the special website of the Peru railway.
The distance from Cuzco to the place of destination is rather large - 92 kilometers. On the way you will spend more than three hours. But do not have to be bored: the windows of the train offer a magnificent view of the mountains. So do not forget the camera! By the way, if you do not plan to spend the night in Aguas-Calientes, then get a return ticket immediately, on the calculation that you will spend no more than three hours in the city of the Incas. It would be enough.
Stage three: from Aguas Calientes - to Machu Picchu. From the city there is a direct bus. It's very close: it's about 25 minutes drive. The bus ticket is inexpensive: round trip - within 15 dollars.
Tickets to the entrance to Machu Picchu cost $ 45 per person. But keep in mind that you can pay only for local currency. So prepare the money in advance. Have a good trip and unforgettable impressions!
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