Of course, everyone has heard of the mysterious city of Machu Picchu.It is a place that hides a mystery is not solved yet.This monument is one of the seven new wonders of the world.And you know where Machu Picchu than it so unique?Let's face it.
Old Mountain
In Machu Picchu there are several titles.The first - the "old mountain".That is from the ancient Quechua language is translated Machu Picchu.The ancient city is so organically fit into the surrounding landscape, which was called "the city of pestilence" or "heavenly city".Up there is an impression that the triangular roof of small houses - a part of the landscape.
Inca city of Machu Picchu - is an architectural masterpiece.In order to erect such a structure, the builders had to have knowledge of the geology, topography, ecology and astronomy.After all, in the construction of the Incas used natural slopes and make the building stable even in case of slopes and earthquakes.
Machu Picchu - is an incredible building!How could such a construct, still remains a mystery.After all the stones for the construction of the city were transported from distant quarries.So, workers dragged them on the wet clay slopes and dragged on logs without the use of any equipment.And how perfectly polished stones!Even now, joints between slabs nothing will stick.
No wonder Machu Picchu since 1983 under the protection of UNESCO.And in 2007 he entered the list of the new wonders of the world.
Where is Machu Picchu
mysterious city was built in the middle of the fifteenth century.Machu Picchu is located in the territory of Peru.And to be precise, it is a hundred kilometers from the capital of the Inca Empire - Cusco.The city is so secluded hidden in the mountains of the Andes, that he could not find even the Spanish colonizers.
The figure on the left shows the location of Machu Picchu on the world map.
Incidentally, this miracle of light for a long time no one knew anything.Among the scientists only legends about the mysterious city in Peru.And only in 1911 the city was discovered by Hiram Bingham scientists from Yale University.By the way, the locals always know where Machu Picchu, but to share their knowledge with the world in no hurry.
History of discovery
way, the discoverer of Machu Picchu town found accidental.In fact, Hiram Bingham was looking for an entirely different place - the legendary Vilcabamba.According to legend the Incas taken all their gold and treasures, mummies of the pharaohs and other wealth to hide them from the Spanish conquerors.Hiram led their search precisely in the mountains, where Machu Picchu.
In Peru, the locals are not very talkative, so nothing to really learn it Vmlkambambe failed.But this scientist lucky.In the mountains, he met a boy who was carrying a ceramic jug of water.The scientist knew right away that this is not a simple piece of plate, and asked the child where he took it.And the boy just a third of the US dollar had told him about the "heavenly city" and naively pointed the way to it.So in 1911, it opened the road to the ancient Inca citadel, which has survived the rise and fall of a great empire.
Destination city
Today it is known for what purpose the Incas built this "heavenly city".According to documents of the sixteenth century, Machu Picchu had the status of residence of the Supreme Inca Pachacutec.After the death of the leader of the city was used as the academy for children of noble families.There taught astronomy and textile craftsmanship.Training takes place both men and women.
There is also a version that the city had a military purpose.From here it provides control over the tribes who obeyed the Incas, as well as over access to fertile land and tropical regions, which are grown vegetables, pumpkin and other plants used charlatanry.At that time it was the most important and necessary products.
worship the gods
Machu spikes - it is also a religious city.As the researchers found, most of the buildings here - it's temples and palace buildings.The civilization of the Incas worshiped the god Inti, which symbolized the sun.
According to that small information that scientists have been able to find in Machu Picchu enter might not all, but only a select few - the priests and his entourage, the highest nobility, as well as craftsmen, recognized as the best (after all, grow crops at an altitude of two kilometers could not every).The city is also allowed mamakunas - virgins who have dedicated themselves to serving God Inti.
survived until today the city's main temple - the three windows.It was a key structure in all the ancient rituals of the townspeople.Three beams of light that fall on the main square through the windows of the temple symbolize the three founders of the Inca Empire.According to legend, the three deities came into this world through the windows of the temple of Machu Picchu, as messengers of the god Inti.
Where did the people do?
legendary city of Machu Picchu is empty for a long time.How long ago - is not known.But in 1532, when the Spanish invaders invaded the Inca Empire, the town was already empty.All residents mysteriously disappeared.What happened to them?Were killed or died of starvation?Or maybe gone to another village?That we'll probably never know.
There is a theory that people have left the city because of hunger.Machu Picchu was closely associated with the capital of the Empire of Cusco.And when the Spaniards conquered the capital, the supply of provisions to Machu Picchu stopped.In order not to die of starvation, people left the city.
According to another version, all the simple class went to fight with the Spaniards, and fell in battle, and to know and the priests took all his treasure and went to the legendary Vilcabamba.There are other versions, so that the cause of the disappearance of the residents can be covered in something completely different.
conclusions about how the Incas lived in Machu Picchu, you can do research on the ruins of the city.The city had no less than two hundred different buildings, which were built of stone slabs.Clumps tightly fit together and well treated.Examining the internal layout and other, smaller items, archaeologists have determined that most of the buildings was used for worship of the gods, food storage, and others. It is estimated in the city of Machu Picchu Inca lived more than a thousand!
Artifacts
in 2011 with the opening of the city took place a hundred years.On the legendary day in 1911 Professor Hiram Benghem to discover the city, he researched it as far as possible.And it found the artifacts brought to Yale.
Since then, between Peru with the United States has repeatedly negotiated that the legacy of the Incas had been returned to their homeland.And only in 2010 the US government finally signed the agreement.
In 2011, more than 4,000 artifacts found at Machu Picchu in Peru, has finally returned home.Today they are on display in a museum in Cuzco.
Young Mountain
on Vine Ridge Picchu can be reached by a steep trail directly from the city of Machu Picchu.Photos of this mountain you certainly have seen.It is always depicted just behind Machu Picchu.Translated from the ancient language of Quechua name means "Young Mountain".
What is so interesting Vine Picchu?There also remained a lot of temples and dwellings of the Incas.However, the way the young mountain quite difficult and dangerous, and not everyone will be able to overcome it.To decide on such a journey could only physically well trained people.
wishing to climb to the Vine Picchu lot.But to admit a limited number of people.On the day only 400 people can make such a journey.If you want to go to Wayne Picchu, you will need to purchase in advance at the box office double ticket: Machu Picchu + rise on Vine Picchu.This ticket will cost only ten dollars more expensive than usual, with no lift.When
to journey
to Machu Picchu in Peru, you can go at any time of the year.As they say, when there is money, time and desire.Here there are two seasons: the dry and the rainy season.
dry season is the most favorable, hot and at the same time convenient for travelers.It begins in April and ends in early October.
temperature throughout the year is flat.However, we must be prepared for sudden changes in temperature during the day (25-27 degrees) and at night (10-12 degrees).
For those who are not afraid of the weather, and do not like the crowds, the best time to travel to Machu Picchu - from early November to late February.At this time, because of the weather is the least amount of tourists.Therefore, you can safely walk through the ruins.Just do not forget to bring a raincoat or umbrella, starting at this time in Machu Picchu.
Getting
So, you can talk endlessly about the beauty of this place, but it is better to see with their own eyes.Now, knowing where Machu Picchu is worth thinking about how to get there.And the easiest way - is to travel to Machu Picchu in Peru's capital - the city of Lima.
Travel will consist of three stages.
first: Lima - Cusco.We have to get on the air.On the flight will spend half an hour.The city of Cusco is located at a height of three and a half kilometers above sea level.Therefore, coming out of the plane, you can be affected by so-called altitude sickness.To counter it, drink coca tea, chew the plant or buy special tablets Sorojchi Pills, containing coca in its composition.Well, go slower.
to acclimatization was fast, the next morning after arrival go to Machu Picchu.Inca citadel is located at a height of two and a half kilometers above sea level, and there will be much easier.And you can see Cusco and on the way back.It's the former capital of the Inca Empire, so that here, too, there are a lot of interesting things.
Step Two: from Cusco - Aguas Calientes.You need to get on the train.Aguas Calientes - a town that is closest to Machu Picchu.The little town nestles at the foot of the mountains.It should be borne in mind that the train from Cuzco - is the only way to Machu Picchu.Therefore, it is always packed with tourists.To get him to come and comfort, you must purchase tickets in advance at a special website of the railway Peru.
distance from Cusco to the destination rather big - 92 kilometers.On the way you will spend more than three hours.But it will not be bored: the windows of the train offers a magnificent view of the mountains.So do not forget your camera!By the way, if you do not plan to spend the night in Aguas Calientes, the purchase immediately and a return ticket on the basis that the city of the Incas you will spend no more than three hours.It would be enough.
Step Three: from Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu.From the town of direct bus.It is quite close to where a 25-minute drive away.Bus ticket cheap: there and back - in the range of $ 15.
entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are $ 45 per person.But keep in mind that you can only pay in local currency.So prepare the money in advance.Have a good trip and an unforgettable experience!
