Machu Picchu, an Inca Citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, is one of the most recognizable and widely-known archaeological sites in the world. The site, which was built in the 15th century and later abandoned, was rediscovered in 1911 by explorer Hiram Bingham. Today, Machu Picchu is one of Peru's top tourist destinations, drawing visitors from all over the world.
Despite its popularity, much of Machu Picchu's history remains a mystery. It is not clear, for example, why the site was built or why it was eventually abandoned. Nevertheless, the ruins of Machu Picchu offer a fascinating glimpse into the Inca Empire, and the beauty of the site itself is truly breathtaking.
Machu Picchu is located about 50 miles from Cusco, the ancient Inca capital. The site has several stone buildings, terraces, and temples set amidst the stunning scenery of the Andes Mountains. Visitors to Machu Picchu can explore the ruins, which include the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana Stone, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Palace of the Incas.
In this article we will talk about two of the most important buildings inside Machu Picchu: the Intihuatana Stone and the Temple of the Three Windows.
The Intihuatana Stone is a large granite rock located in the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu in the shape of a polygon. This incredible pyramidal building is located in the "Hanan" sector of the urban area of Machu Picchu, the Modern Wonder of The World, exactly on the slopes of a hill designed to take the shape of a pyramid.
The stone is carved with a series of lines and symbols, and is believed to have been used by the Incas for astronomical purposes. Its different faces cast shadows in relation to the movement of the sun and the different seasons of the year. The rock has some small stairs and, according to the experts, they were used for a priest to perform religious rituals and also has a table carved in stone for offerings.
Intihuatana is a Quechua word (language of the Incas) that means 'where the sun is tied'. 'Inti' means sun and 'watana' means to tie or tie. The Intihuatana is dedicated to the sunrise. There the Incas could make precise observations of the movement of the sun, measurements of the climate and seasonal changes.
The stone is thought to have been used as a sundial, and may have been used to determine the dates of important Inca festivals. The Intihuatana Stone is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Machu Picchu, and is a symbol of the Inca civilization.
Because the Intihuatana directly receives the sun's rays, it is believed that the monolith radiates energy. Although it is forbidden to touch it, It will be enough to place your hands a few inches apart to feel its energy. it will suffice to put the palms of your hands a few centimeters away to feel its energy.
The guided tour inside Machu Picchu crosses the Intihuatana. It is an obligatory destination in the Inca city.
The Temple of the Three Windows is one of the most iconic structures in Machu Picchu. It is located in the "Hanan" sector or high neighborhood. This sector houses the most important religious buildings of Machu Picchu. From its windows you have a panoramic view of the Huayna Picchu and Putucusi mountains.
It has the best carved walls of the entire Inca city. Also some of the largest stone blocks of the Citadel. All this indicates that it was one of the most important enclosures for the Incas. The wall that contains these windows has a dimension of 10 meters long by eight meters wide and the windows have a trapezoidal shape.
On both sides, the Incas built niches where they placed gold or silver objects during religious ceremonies. The fineness of its walls and the presence of niches indicate that some of the most important ceremonies of Machu Picchu were performed there.
Its orientation to the east allowed the Incas to observe in detail the movement of the sun at sunrise. That is, it accurately marked the seasons during the year. This is the reason why it is believed to have been used for astronomical purposes, as the three windows align with the winter solstice, summer solstice, and equinox.
Its orientation to the east allowed the Incas to notice in detail the movement of the sun at its exit. That is, it marked exactly the seasons during the year. This is the reason why it is believed to have been used for astronomical purposes, as the three windows align with the winter solstice, summer solstice, and equinox.
The temple is also a symbol of the Inca tripartite cosmology, with the three windows representing the three levels of the universe: the Hanan-Pacha (Supra-terrestrial or world of the gods), the Kay-Pacha (the terrestrial surface where human beings live and spend their lives) and the Ukju-Pacha (underground or world of the dead).
Machu Picchu is a truly amazing place, and a visit to the site is an unforgettable experience. You can enjoy a beautiful tour through Machu Picchu with our Sunset at Machu Picchu tour, that will allow you to experience the amazing view of the Citadel during the sunset.
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