English Version

The construction of Machu Picchu for when the little Inca dominion began to grow. According to archaeologists, this area was fought the last battle that defined victory over the Chancas, covering prestigious victory and gave power to the Inca Pachacutec.
 

Inca Pachacutec was the first to emerge beyond the valley of Cusco after his epic victory over the Chancas. Was conducted Tahuantinsuyo expansion and is recognized as the "constructor" of Cusco. This was one of his greatest works.

The origin of Machu Picchu is attributed with some certainty to Pachacutec, embattled president, which was characterized by territorial conquests, and the development of religion and spirituality. From today there is archaeological studies support the theory that it was a royal hacienda destined to the cult of the gods and a challenge to the ruling builder skills.

Built as a refuge for the elite of Inca aristocracy, the fort was located on the eastern slopes of the Vilcanota mountain range, about 80 miles from Cusco, the capital of the empire. Its strategic location was chosen with admirable success. Surrounded by steep cliffs and away from the sight of strangers in a tangled forest, the citadel of Machu Picchu had the quality of having only one narrow entrance, allowing, in case of a surprise attack, be defended by very few warriors.
Occupied by at least three generations of Incas, Machu Picchu was abandoned in a sudden and mysterious decision. The strongest hypothesis explain his disappearance from the historical memory because that Machu Picchu was unknown to the lower castes and their routes prohibited for anyone not part of the small circle of the Inca.

Part of the gains of the valley included Pachacútec Tampu, despite being inhabited by that sister nation of Cusco, did not escape his iron rule. Natural beauty, mild climate (one of the best in the Andes) and rich soil, Pachacutec noticed Tampu favorite settlement of the new imperial nobility, gracing the valley with several of the most magnificent cities Tahuantinsuyo as Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. Site selection for lifting Machu Picchu must have been made with great care, as it was, and still is, a great place to raise a ceremonial center. It was located, according to researcher Antonio Zapata, the largest mountain by its sacredness, which begins in the Salcantay (the apu, greater spirit) and ends at the Huayna Picchu. It was a privileged to observe the movement of the stars and the sun, Inca deities.
Furthermore, according to their research, the place had a quarry nearby that could provide the finest white granite stones.

On July 24, 1911 is known as the date of the "discovery" of the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, architectural treasure that had been hidden for more than four centuries under the lush nature of the Urubamba canyon. This discovery was made by controversial anthropologist, historian or simply by the American explorer, amateur archeology, Yale University professor Hiram Bingham.

Although the discovery accrues to Bingham, the researcher of Cusco, Simone Waisbard, the finding was the result of a chance, since they would have been Enrique Palma, Gabino Sánchez, and Agustín Lizarraga, the first to visit these archaeological remains on whose stones left their names recorded on July 14, 1901. And also because the English archaeologist looking actually Vitco City, the last refuge of the Incas and the last point of resistance against the Spanish. So the discovery of Bingham said would reduce the spread of the fact to science. However, to its main protagonist reach this day was not the result of chance, but a strenuous investigation based on information supplied by peasants, as well as several years of travel and exploration in the area.

Before that Machu Picchu was discovered is likely to be part of the estates and Kutija Qollapani. Over the years the property was being as Q `property unit. They Palma Sanchez Lizarraga found living in the place Anacleto indigenous Alvarez, who was eight years ago cultivated land leased for twelve soles annually.

The owners of the estate could never have known meter by meter all over the place by its large size and, especially, by its topography as rugged and irregular. People did indeed know of Machu Picchu and even lived in it, but they had no idea of his greatness and of how important it was, let alone had the opportunity to make it known to the world.

Rediscovery
While the rediscovery of the citadel is attributed to the American historian Hiram Bingham, there are sources that indicate that Agustin Lizarraga, a tenant of Cuzco homelands, would come to the ruins nine years before the historian said. According to them, would have left an inscription Lizarraga in one of the walls of the Temple of the Three Windows. This registration would have been subsequently deleted.

Lizarraga's story and his visits to the ancient Inca ruins have attracted the attention of Hiram Bingham, who was in the area investigating the last holdouts in Vilcabamba Incas. Bingham, very interested in these rumors, begin the search for these ruins, reaching Machu Picchu in Cuzco lessee company Melchor Arriaga and a sergeant of the Peruvian Civil Guard in July 1911. There, the American historian would find two families, the Recharte and Alvarez, who had settled in the platforms of the south of the ruins. It was finally a child of the family who would guide Recharte Bingham to the "urban area" of the ruins, which was covered by thick undergrowth.

Immediately, Bingham understood the enormous historical value of the ruins discovered and contacted Yale University, the National Geographic Society and the Peruvian government, requesting sponsorship to start with studies Inca archaeological site. The archaeological work was carried out from 1912 to 1915. In this period, they managed to clear the weeds that thronged the Citadel and the tombs were excavated Inca found beyond the city walls.

In 1913, National Geographic magazine published in an extensive article of Machu Picchu and the jobs that were done there, revealing to the world the citadel. With the passing of the years, the importance of tourism in the citadel of Machu Picchu would grow, first nationally and then internationally, becoming a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1983.

Machu Picchu Today
Machu Picchu was designated one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Machu Picchu is Peru’s most visited attraction and South America’s most famous ruins, welcoming hundreds of thousands of people a year. Increased tourism, the development of nearby towns and environmental degradation continue to take their toll on the site, which is also home to several endangered species. As a result, the Peruvian government has taken steps to protect the ruins and prevent erosion of the mountainside in recent years.

When you think of Machu Picchu, one of the first names that comes to our minds is Hiram Bingham, but few persons knows who is Agustín Lizárraga, one of the unrecognized discoverer of the Sanctuary

Pachacutec, Lord of the Tahuantinsuyo Empire
It all starts with a single person, who transforms the entire Tahuantinsuyo Territory, with his bravery and strength began to create one of the most important Empires in the History of the world, this person is Pachacutec, The Inca Emperor.


Machu Picchu, the untold story
Two persons, one History in common: being recognized as the first who visist the Sanctuary, one is a local native, who always know about the place, the other an North American adventurer that with a little luck and good contacts was able to show to the entire humanity one of the most beautiful Sanctuary in the History. But behind that there are a lot of things that you must know, Machu Picchu, The untold Story, an encounter with 2 persons with one thing in common: Remain as the original discoverer of this great place.

The Ayar Brothers legend
Many of the stories that an ancient town tells is about power, big decisions and fantastic abilities, The Ayar Brothers Legend tell us how is that Manco Capac remain as the supreme boss of all the Inca Empire.

The Legend of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo
Is the classic story: Two persons, one male and the other female, a supreme entity that send them to populate one big territory, The Legend of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo narrates the story of an ancient group, the founders of one of the most powerful and organized cultures: The Incas and their Empire the Tahuantinsuyo.
 

Religious significance in Machu Picchu

The Sanctuary is riddled with cosmic and universal symbolism, but one of the most important aspects is their religious significance in Machu Picchu, with several and particular ways of understand the universe that is Machu Picchu