Discovered in the 1910s, Peru’s Machu Picchu is a breathtaking site believed to date back far before the 1400s when the Incas used the mountainous area for religious ceremonies. Rising more than 2,000 feet above the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu is home to ancient dwellings, ruins of palaces, ancient baths, ruins of temples, and more. One of the most impressive features of this large area is that the buildings were erected from stone blocks that weigh more than 50 tons, so how they were placed into position remains a major mystery. Burial sites are found in Machu Picchu and while some felt the area was a training ground for priestesses, a number of male skeletons have been found which disputes that earlier belief.
On Machu Picchu sits the Intihuatana Stone, a large stone believed to be used as a calendar of its time. Intihuatana Stone translates to “Hitching Post of the Sun” and legend has it that if you touch your forehead to the stone, you are then given the power to communicate with the dead. The Group of the Sacred Rock is another popular tourism area. Two large rooms surround the Sacred Rock and it is believed this area was used for rituals. Finally, the Temple of Three Windows is the other popular site within Machu Picchu. The main wall of this temple has three large window areas. Other sites that are worth viewing—the three historic water sources located to the south, the tomb area, and the main temple found to the north.
Visitors access Machu Picchu via PeruRail, a train route operated by Orient Express Hotels. The cost ranges from $75 to $500 round-trip. Another issue of debate is the establishment of a footbridge that is due to be completed in February 2008 that will allow visitors easier access to and from the site. While the current route takes fifteen hours by foot, the foot bridge could cut area resident’s trips by as much as twelve hours making it far easier for locals to get their wares to area markets. Others fear that this bridge will ruin the landscaping and open a new route for drug trafficking. Legal battles ensue and whether the bridge opens or not remains to be seen.
The Intihuatana Stone was damaged in the early 2000s when an advertising company dropped a crane onto the stone. This tragedy has led to questions if tourism at Machu Picchu should be limited. UNESCO has listed Machu Picchu as an endangered World Heritage Site. If you do go to see Machu Picchu, use common sense and treat the area with the respect it deserves.
Find a hotel in Cusco and enjoy the rest of Peru.
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