Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary is the crown jewel of Inca architecture. Our group had two scheduled tours: a two-hour tour in the late afternoon on our arrival day, and a one-hour early the following morning. On the first tour, the entire group of 37 participated, but only 12 people chose to get up early for the morning tour. There was considerable elevation change in thin air which may have deterred participation in the second tour, not to mention an early rise to pack and get to the lobby in time. For myself, three hours at Machu Picchu was inadequate! However, the first glimpse of the sanctuary spread out below us, even though I had seen countless pictures, was breathtaking!
>Return to International Travel
Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary
"Postcard" view from the high point of the Guardian's House.
The Urban Sector
The "Sacred" district is on the left and the "Residential & Industrial" district is on on the right. Significant structures in the Sacred district: the Intihuatana (atop the pryamidal, terraced mound upper far left), the Main Temple (3-sided structure, far left about halfway down the pyramid), Temple of the Three Windows (next to the Main Temple, but not visible in this photo), Temple of the Sun (lower left structure with a curved wall).
Temple of the Sun, or Torreón
It's the P-shaped structure infront of the thatched-roof building. Although weathered-looking now, it was built to the highest standards of Inca architecute using polished white granite. On the winter solstice (June), the dawn sunlight is aligned with the east window marking the beginning of longer days. This was a key site I wanted to visit but was unable to do so.
Much of the Agricultural Sector
The Guardian's House is at the top right. One of five storehouses is at the bottom left, but the terraces continue down the steep slope. The steep tourist path to the Sanctuary is beyond the terraces. The path is comprised of stone switchbacks and steps, and sets of stairs that can be seen in the photo..
Storehouses (Qollqoas)
Thousands are scattered all over the empire to store corn, cereals, dried potatoes, quinoa, and salted meat. A few buildings at Machu Picchu have thatched roofs, suggesting what they may have looked like almost 600 years ago.
Modern Stone Path
The rain forest on both sides of the path shows how Machu Picchu appeared to Hiram Bingham in 1911 — overgrown!
Inca Path & Terraces
Our guide is leading us to the Guardian's House from the other side of the ridge. Although our early morning hike on the second day had patchy blue skies, the clouds in this photo are not at all unusual. Sometimes the clouds are so thick, the sanctuary may be obsured for an hour or more.
The Guardian's House
We are about to pass through two of nine short rock walls. On the far left, there is a glimpse of the urban sector. The name "Guardian's House" probably stems from its strategic location, its probable role in overseeing the sanctuary, and the cultural significance of guardianship in Inca society.
Guardian's House
This view suggests that a step off the grass at the edge of the structure, may hurl you a thousand feet down to the river. Actually, the fall would only be about ten feet to the next terrace.
Door to the Sanctuary
The entry to the sanctuary is seen in the lower right side of the photo. In the late 1400's, travelers marched from Cusco on foot over mountain passes to reach the sanctuary. The Inca Trail ended at this entranceway. Today, hikers can follow much of the same trail with a 26-mile trek and three nights of camping. The modern-day Inca Trail begins near the town of Ollantaytambo, and the hike "features" crossing a 14,000-foot mountain pass.
The Sacred Plaza
After entering the sanctuary, remants of an old quarry is the first stop, with some stones showing evidence of being formed. Next is the Sacred Plaza with the 3-sided Main Temple and the Temple of Three Windows to its right. Behind the Main Temple, is a stairway leading to the Intihuatana (hitching post to the sun), a carved stone . Archaeologists believe it may have served as an astrnomical calendar. This site was another I wanted to see but was not able to.
The Main Temple
This is the only Inca structure that I saw (in my very limited experience) that had suffered damage. It could have been due to a seismic event, or the weight of the stones compressing the earth, or both. Being a temple, note the quality of the stonework. the trapezoidal niches (a shape commonly used for niches, windows, and doors due to eathquake resistance properties). Keep in mind that these stones were cut and placed almost 600 years ago, so it should be no surprise that they looked so weathered.
The Temple of Three Windows
Why three? According to the Inca origin legend, founders of the Inca civilization emerged from three caves in a sacred mountain. In addition, they represent the three worlds of their cosmology: the upper world where the gods live, the earthly world of humans, and the under world of ancestors. The large trapezoidal windows face the east, and the hugue polished stones were placed and aligned with astronomical precision.
Llama Residents
The view across the plaza from the Three Windows is spectacular. In this case, however, the highlight is not the Residential Sector nor the mountains, rather three local residents were caught walking down a set of stone stairs. The llamas are descendants from a herd used in the 1954 movie, "Secret of the Incas". The Peruvian government decided to keep the amimals at the scantuary to enhance the visitor experience.
Far End of the Sanctuary
The Guardian's House is in view, but it's prominent height in the sanctuary is dwarfed by Machu Picchu Mountain behind it.
Huayna Picchu
Huayna (WHY-nah) Picchu is the "new peak" in contrastin name to its sister mountain. Huayna Picchu is the promient and spectacular peak seen in the the first image of this gallery and the "Door to the Sanctuary" image. The sanctuary was constructed on a ridge that connects the two mountains, and both mountains can be climbed on two of the officlal hiking routes. “From afar, and in photographs, it’s difficult to see that Huayna Picchu is covered in stonework, temples and terraces that cling to the slope like baby monkeys.”
—Turn Right at Machu Picchu, by Mark Adams
Living Quarters — A One Room Apartment?
On the back side of the Residential/Industrial district are accomodations for royalty and support people for royalty. The trapezoidal door and niches in the back are familliar per the local "building codes", but the stonework is not royal quality.
Looking Out My Front Door
Those suffering from the disorder of sleepwalking should refrain from straying from the door on a dark night. It'sd a lomng, long way down on the other side of the path.
The Other Side of the Walking Path
It's a nice view from the parth outside the living quarters to the Urubama River some 1300 feet below, but a fall could be the end.
Late Afternoon Lighting
Look at the contrast between the structure that is front and center, and the two visible walls just to the right of the visible thatched roof.
Sunlite Tree
Parting Look at a Qollqa
Pronounced as KOHL-kah. Storehouses were designed for food preservation with: cooler temperatures at higher altitudes, highly sloped roofs for maximum rain run-off, windows for ventilation, and thick stone walls to help regulate temperature and keep the contents dry.