Machu Picchu one of the seven wonders of the world.
Machu Picchu, an iconic symbol of the Inca Empire, is a 15th-century citadel nestled high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba River valley. Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas," it is renowned for its stunning archaeological significance and breathtaking natural scenery. Constructed around 1450 during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti, Machu Picchu was later abandoned during the Spanish Conquest.
The site comprises approximately 200 structures, including temples, palaces, terraces, and residential buildings, all masterfully constructed using sophisticated dry-stone construction techniques. The Intihuatana stone, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows are among its most significant and well-preserved structures, reflecting the Incas' advanced understanding of astronomy and engineering.
The site comprises approximately 200 structures, including temples, palaces, terraces, and residential buildings, all masterfully constructed using sophisticated dry-stone construction techniques. The Intihuatana stone, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows are among its most significant and well-preserved structures, reflecting the Incas' advanced understanding of astronomy and engineering.
Transcript
00:00Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
00:24Machu Picchu, also known as the Lost City of the Incas, is an ancient Incan settlement
00:29located in the eastern cordillera of southern Peru, on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba
00:33Valley.
00:35It is renowned for its sophisticated drystone construction that beautifully fits huge blocks
00:39of stone together without the use of mortar, its architectural innovations, and its picturesque
00:44location.
00:45The site was most likely built in the 15th century under the reign of Pachacuti, the
00:49ninth Inca emperor, and was occupied for about a century before being abandoned following
00:54the Spanish conquest.
00:56Its existence was unknown outside the Inca world until American historian Hiram Bingham
01:00brought it to international attention in 1911.
01:04Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic symbols of the
01:08Inca civilization.
01:10It is also one of the most visited tourist attractions in Peru, with thousands of visitors
01:14coming each year to marvel at its beauty and historical significance.
01:19The site is believed to have served as an estate for the Inca emperor, a sacred religious
01:23center, and a possible astronomical observatory.
01:27The architecture of Machu Picchu includes approximately 140 buildings, ranging from
01:31simple houses and storehouses to the Temple of the Sun with its large Antihuatana stone,
01:36which is thought to have been an astronomical tool.
01:39The site also features an extensive network of terraces that were cut into the mountainside
01:43to create level spaces for construction and agriculture.
01:47The preservation of Machu Picchu and the management of tourism there have been subjects of concern
01:51due to the potential for environmental damage and the strain on the site's delicate structures.
01:57Efforts have been made to limit the number of visitors and to ensure that the site remains
02:01accessible for future generations to appreciate its historical and cultural value.
02:08Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca settlement built in the mid-15th century, is situated on a
02:13rocky elevation between the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains in Peru.
02:18It is located about 130 kilometers from Cusco, the closest significant city.
02:24Recognized as one of the world's greatest treasures, Machu Picchu is an exceptionally
02:27well-preserved 15th-century citadel with significant sacred importance.
02:32It is nestled high in the Andes Mountains above the Peruvian Sacred Valley and exemplifies
02:37the classic Incan style of architecture.
02:40Initially thought to be constructed in the early 1400s as a palace and temple complex
02:44for Emperor Pachacuti, recent studies suggest it may have been occupied from around 1420-1530 AD.
02:51Despite its abandonment before the mid-16th century, the site is remarkably intact, showcasing
02:56over 150 buildings including baths, houses, temples, and sanctuaries.
03:02The location of Machu Picchu remained a mystery to the general public for many years, earning
03:06it the nickname Lost City.
03:09Local residents knew of its existence, but it was not until American explorer Hiram Bingham
03:13brought it to international attention in 1911 that it gained worldwide recognition.
03:18Machu Picchu holds spiritual significance, believed to be a royal estate and religious
03:23sanctuary for the Inca emperors and nobles.
03:26Its remote and secretive location, combined with its architectural grandeur, makes it
03:30a symbol of Inca ingenuity and spiritual devotion.
03:36The site, at an elevation of 2,430 meters, 7,972 feet, also served as an astronomical
03:43observatory, with features like the Intihuatana stone that accurately indicates the equinoxes.
03:49Today, Machu Picchu is a protected historical site and a major tourist attraction, renowned
03:54for its breathtaking views and cultural heritage.
03:57However, the influx of visitors has raised concerns about the preservation of this iconic
04:02landmark, which remains a testament to the Inca civilization's remarkable achievements.
05:32Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
05:39United States.
05:40Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
05:41United States.
05:42Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
05:43United States.
05:44Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
05:45United States.
05:46Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
05:47United States.
05:48Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
05:49United States.
05:50Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
05:51United States.
05:52Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
05:53United States.
05:54Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
05:55United States.
05:56Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
05:57United States.
05:58Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
05:59United States.
06:00Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
06:01United States.
06:02Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
06:03United States.
06:04Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
06:05United States.
06:06Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
06:07United States.
06:08Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
06:09United States.
06:10Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
06:11United States.
06:12Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
06:13United States.
06:14Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
06:15United States.
06:16Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
06:17United States.
06:18Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the
06:19United States.