Overview
Built for the emperor Pachacuti, Machu Picchu combines temples, terraces, and residences in finely fitted stonework on a dramatic site above the Urubamba River. It was abandoned around the time of the Spanish conquest and never found by the conquistadors.
Description
Its buildings are made of precisely cut stone laid without mortar, aligned to the surrounding peaks and the sun. Terraced fields and channeled water show sophisticated engineering on steep terrain.
History and legacy
Brought to world attention by Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an icon of the Inca. It draws visitors from around the world as a symbol of Andean civilization.