Located in front of the Temple of the Sun, this residence has easy access to the ruler’s exclusive fountain. Coincidentally, it has many elements that contemporary home buyers seek: two chambers, a terrace for viewing the rising sun and a garage (a corral for camelids, in the case of the Incas). Unsurprisingly, the Inca palace is the finest example of housing at Machu Picchu.
Inca Residence and Imperial Tomb: From rule to rest Not to mention, no mummies have ever been found. This has caused researchers to believe the space served as a chapel or place of worship rather than burial site. The carving of smaller rocks to fit the natural curvature of the larger stones is exceptional.Ī gap between a section of the wall and the staircase of six steps that hugs the entrance allows light to seep in. Built almost entirely out of one large granite stone, this curved tomb is considered the most important in all of Machu Picchu. The American explorer said they were the most beautiful in all of the Americas.īelow the Temple of the Sun is the stunning Royal Tomb. Tourists are not able to enter this temple, however its beauty can easily be admired from beyond. In fact, Hiram Bingham, often credited as bringing Machu Picchu to the world’s attention, was particularly impressed by the walls.
During winter (June 21) and summer solstice (December 22), sunlight flows in through the east-facing windows and radiates across the ceremonial stone that this temple was built upon. It has windows facing east and west and may have been used as an astronomical observatory. Located in the urban sector, this curved temple was used to honor Inti, the Sun god. Carved images show the three levels of the Andean world: Hanan Pacha (the heavens), Kay Pacha (the earth), and Uku Pacha (the underground). While theories have tried to answer why there are three windows, one rock in the temple does reveal a story. The three windows rest on one of the three temple walls and face the rising sun. Located just northeast of the citadel’s Sacred Plaza, the Temple of the Three Windows lies in the royal sector. This temple is recognized for having the largest windows of any Inca monument. The Principal Temple obviously had great importance, but the two most iconic temples are Temple of the Three Windows and Temple of the Sun. There are numerous temples in this architectural gem. From the hut’s terrace, visitors can look out across the citadel to the neighboring mountain, Huayna Picchu.Ī retreat for Inca nobility and their families, Machu Picchu also served as an important site to worship.
Situated next to the cemetery and just a five-minute walk from the entrance to Machu Picchu, this small yet attractive structure has one of the best views. Not even the numerous and sizable earthquakes over the years have been able to cause the snug rocks to tumble.Īlso known as the House of the Ayamayocc, the watchman’s hut sticks out like a manicured thumb. Perhaps the most astonishing feat (besides the transportation of the rocks) is that the stones were cut so precisely that they fit together without any binding agent. Once atop Machu Picchu, the stones were stacked on top one another to create sacred temples, housing and more. An ingenious system was created to transport the stones (many of which weigh up more than 100 metric tons) across land, river and up thousands of meters. In order to have a secure base for this Sacred Valley site, portions of land had to be flattened and underground retaining walls placed to provide additional support.Ĭollected from rockfalls kilometers away from the sacred site, granite dating back to 246 million years ago was used to build the citadel.Īrchitects and engineers watched over stonemasons who tirelessly cut the granite into the smooth dry-stones tourists see today. How has Machu Picchu managed to withstand nearly five centuries of rain, earthquakes and the pounding footsteps of tourists? Much respect is owed to the foresight of building a solid foundation. Giant rocks: Back breakers, legacy makers