Discovering Machu Picchu: Peru’s Enigmatic Lost City

Imagine being on a peak, enveloped in foggy clouds, and looking down onto a forgotten treasure of time. Welcome to Peru’s fabled Lost City of Machu Picchu.

Denis Miron
3 min readMay 16, 2023
Photo by Victor Rodriguez on Unsplash

Imagine being on a peak, enveloped in foggy clouds, and looking down onto a forgotten treasure of time. Welcome to Peru’s fabled Lost City of Machu Picchu.

This remarkable archaeological site, nestled away in the Andes, is a fascinating reminder of the prehistoric Inca culture. Prepare for an extraordinary journey as we explore this alluring wonderland’s mysteries and wonders.

The altitude

Machu Picchu towers magnificently above the gorgeous Urubamba Valley from a height of more than 2,400 meters.

Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash

With its elaborate stone buildings and terraced fields, it is difficult to imagine how such a wonderful city was kept a secret from the outside world for so long.

But it wasn’t until 1911 that a daring explorer named Hiram Bingham discovered this mysterious masterwork and made it public.

The construction

You can’t help but be in awe of the Incas’ architectural genius as you stroll through the winding lanes and expansive plazas.

How did they manage to build such a wonder in such a far-off place?

Photo by Jeison Higuita on Unsplash

The precision of their stone masonry, without the use of mortar, is an engineering feat that still baffles experts today.

Each stone is meticulously placed, interlocking with precision, creating a harmony between nature and human creation.

The purpose

One of the most intriguing aspects of Machu Picchu is its purpose.

  • Was it a royal retreat?
  • A spiritual sanctuary?
  • Perhaps a fortress protecting the Inca Empire?

The truth is historians and archaeologists, are still unraveling the secrets hidden within these ancient walls.

The site’s layout and alignment with celestial events suggest a deep connection to Inca cosmology and their reverence for the natural world.

Cultivating

It’s difficult not to picture the Incas growing crops in this spectacular environment as you tour the terraced fields that cascade down the slope.

With irrigation systems skillfully planned to direct water from adjacent springs, these agricultural wonders show their brilliance in harnessing the challenging environment for food.

Photo by Gabriel Rojas on Unsplash

However, Machu Picchu is a site that strikes the spirit; it is more than simply history and architecture.

A sense of peace and wonder is created by the breathtaking panoramas, which feature mist slicing across the mountains and the holy Huayna Picchu peak standing tall.

It’s understandable why Machu Picchu has come to represent spiritual awakening and draw tourists looking for a link to the past.

Machu Picchu is a place where time seems to have stopped and where the secrets of the past come to life. Follow along the ancient Inca kings’ and queens’ footsteps as you let the charm of this vanished metropolis enchant you.

Feel the history’s echoes in the wind, be in awe of the ingenuity of the architecture, and let Machu Picchu’s breathtaking beauty make an everlasting impression on your spirit.

Photo by Seiji Seiji on Unsplash

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Denis Miron

Check it out! The informative writer on Medium. I got a way of breaking down complicated stuff into simple words that anyone can understand. Follow me!