The modern man might well be proud of his technical prowess,
but that does not change the fact that thousands of years before him indigenous
civilizations achieved great things with nature using the crudest tools there is. Machu Picchu is one such
architectural marvel conjured by the Incan Empire, a marvel that depicts the perfectly
harmonious relationship between man and nature.
Situated in the middle of tropical mountain forest at a
height of 2430 m above the sea level, Machu Picchu was one of the most notable
urban settlements of the Incan Empire. The stone walls imposing terraces and
impressive architecture blend in perfectly with the surrounding Amazon ambiance
and it appears as if Machu Picchu had
been carved out the mountain itself. Located in the valley of the river Urubamba the historic sanctuary
of Machu Picchu is one of the most important
of the tangible pieces of Inca legacy left behind the civilization. It comprises of mountain peaks, valleys and settlements in
a picturesque location and architectural marvels like “ La Ciudadela”
constructed more than 2000 m above the sea level by indigenous ingenuity. The place
was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in the 1980’s.
Where the Peruvian Andes meets the Amazon Basin, rises the imposing
structure of Machu Picchu. One of the most picturesque stretches of mountainous
land sin the region. It was home to some of the most compelling architectural
and art creations of the Incas. Most historians believe that the settlement was
built as an estate for Emperor Parachuti of the Incas. The site was well known
to be a seat for astrological and astronomical studies as well. The land was
abandoned by the Incas during Spanish invasion and remained lost to the world
for a greater part of time ever since. Machu Picchu has been rediscovered by
the outer world only in 1911.
There are more than 200 structures built on a step ridges
inter spaced with stone terraces and squares. The Incas were deeply knowledgeable
about taming of wild plant species and the astronomical wizardry. It is not
clear how Machu Picchu was used as an educational center, but it is unanimous
that the different structure discovered
here have great religious, sentimental and religious values. The city was well
planned and had been divided into agricultural and residential areas separated
by a square. The Incas successfully cultivated the steep ridges of the Peruvian
Andes.