The Secrets of Machu Picchu: Curiosities you didn’t know about the Lost City of the Incas

The Secrets of Machu Picchu: Curiosities you didn’t know about the Lost City of the Incas

Explore the mysteries and hidden facts of Machu Picchu, where ancient engineering, celestial alignments, and cultural myths bring the ruins to life in ways you never imagined.

Machu Picchu: A Royal Retreat, Not a Fortress

Many believe Machu Picchu was a military fortress, but scholars argue it served as a royal estate for Inca Emperor Pachacuti. Built in the mid-15th century, it was likely a seasonal retreat, combining luxurious living with religious and agricultural significance. It remained hidden from the Spanish during their conquest, preserving its legacy.

The Discovery: Not Lost, But Forgotten

Although Machu Picchu was revealed to the world by explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911, locals knew of the ruins for centuries. Farmers guided Bingham to the site, and he mistakenly thought he had found the legendary Vilcabamba, the last Inca refuge. In reality, Machu Picchu was an entirely different, enigmatic complex.

A Masterpiece of Earthquake-Resistant Architecture

Machu Picchu’s dry stone construction, known as ashlar masonry, reveals the Incas’ architectural brilliance. The stones fit so perfectly that not even a blade of grass can slip between them. This technique also makes the structures remarkably earthquake-resistant, an essential feature in Peru’s seismically active region.

The Mystery of Its Abandonment

Machu Picchu was abandoned roughly 100 years after it was built, likely due to the collapse of the Inca Empire and the onset of European diseases. Yet, there are no historical records that explain why it was left untouched or forgotten. This eerie absence of documentation adds to the intrigue surrounding the site.

No Wheels or Iron Tools Were Used

Despite the Incas’ advanced society, no evidence suggests they used the wheel or iron tools to build Machu Picchu. The enormous stone blocks, some weighing over 50 tons, were transported through manpower and clever use of ramps. This feat remains one of the most impressive examples of pre-industrial engineering.

Perfect Celestial Alignment

Machu Picchu is more than just a collection of ancient ruins—it’s also an astronomical observatory. The Intihuatana stone, believed to function as a solar clock, aligns perfectly with the equinoxes. During these times, the sun casts no shadow on the stone, indicating the Incas’ deep knowledge of astronomy and their spiritual connection to the cosmos.

A Sacred Relationship with Nature

The Incas considered Machu Picchu to be a sacred space that harmonized with the surrounding landscape. The shape of Huayna Picchu Mountain, seen from certain angles, resembles the profile of a sleeping Inca, which was interpreted as a guardian spirit watching over the site. Temples within the ruins are also aligned with natural features, such as the sun’s path and nearby rivers.

Sacred Coca Leaves and Rituals

Archaeological findings reveal that Machu Picchu was a center for rituals involving coca leaves. Coca leaves, revered for their spiritual and medicinal properties, were used in ceremonies to honor the gods and ancestors. Some believe these rituals helped maintain the harmony between the people and their environment.

Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, Cusco Region, Peru
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM (daily, ticket reservations required)