Machu Picchu is one of the new 7 wonders of the world and is on every traveler’s wish list. But how much do you know about these famous Inca ruins? Learn a little more in this article Facts about Machu Picchu, below:
It was missing for many years.
Machu Picchu was built in the mid-1400’s, but it was not until 1911 that it ceased to be unknown to society when it caught the attention of archaeologist Hiram Bingham. On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was named one of the new 7 wonders of the world and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
The Spanish never found it
Machu Picchu is often known as “The Lost City of the Incas,” thanks to the belief that the Spanish conquistadors never found the city when they conquered the Inca Empire in the 1500s.
You have to make an effort to get there.
Machu Picchu is located in the province of Urubamba in Cusco. This unique construction was made in a ravine, with a drop of 400m; from where you can see the Urubamba River. Take a look at our Cusco travel guide and make sure you explore the highlights and don’t miss any of the hidden gems.
It is believed that there are ghosts!
One of the most interesting curiosities of Machu Picchu is the following: Every day a layer of fog covers all of Machu Picchu until noon; which creates a feeling of floating in the clouds. However, at night, spirits are known to rise from the ground and try to scare people away. This has caused many of those who care for the area to sleep with a mirror or a piece of shiny metal under them. Keep alert!
What it means in Quechua.
The Incas spoke a dialect called Quechua, which is still spoken by many inhabitants to this day. Machu Picchu in Quechua means “Old Mountain” or “Old Peak”.
The skills it takes to do something like this are incredible.
The stone used to build Machu Picchu has a surprising weight of approximately 55 tons. Another Fact of Machu Picchu is the following: either hundreds of men raised the stones with their own hands up the great mountain or it was carved directly from the mountain. The technique used is called ashlar; which refers to the carving of stones with perfect precision that does not even need mortar. The stones are so well suited that not even a knife or razor would fit between them.
Machu Picchu Curiosities: How many people lived here?
Archaeologists found evidence that the area where Machu Picchu was built was used for agriculture in 760 B.C. According to historians and archaeologists, Machu Picchu had an estimated population between 300 to 1,000 people during the 1400’s. These people were considered of the highest class by the Incas, so they were called “llactas”.
The reason why it was abandoned by the Incas remains a mystery.
The Inca didn’t leave any written record, so the reason Machu Picchu was abandoned is a matter of debate. The Incas only lived here for 100 years, after which the city was abandoned (around the same time as the Spanish invasion). Some people believe that Machu Picchu was abandoned by the Incas due to an outbreak of smallpox.
It’s not as small as you think. Of all the fact about Machu Picchu, this is the one that will surprise you the most.
Machu Picchu is made up of 150 buildings; among which there are temples, shrines, baths and houses. As well as you can find 100 flights of stairs made of stone.
Peru’s battle against Yale University.
Peru was in a great controversy with Yale University in the United States over 5,000 objects that were collected by Bingham during his exploration. Peru claimed that they gave the pieces as a loan, while Yale insisted that they belonged to them. The dispute ended in 2011, when after a trial, Yale agreed to return the objects; ending the controversy.
