Machu Picchu, an iconic symbol of the Inca Empire, is a 15th-century citadel nestled high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba River valley. Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas," it is renowned for its stunning archaeological significance and breathtaking natural scenery. Constructed around 1450 during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti, Machu Picchu was later abandoned during the Spanish Conquest.
The site comprises approximately 200 structures, including temples, palaces, terraces, and residential buildings, all masterfully constructed using sophisticated dry-stone construction techniques. The Intihuatana stone, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows are among its most significant and well-preserved structures, reflecting the Incas' advanced understanding of astronomy and engineering.
