Everything that makes Machu Picchu one of the

More than 2134m. above sea level in the Andes, Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. A symbol of the Inca Empire and built around 1450, Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

We present the most interesting facts related to this wonder of the world.

In the Native American language, "Machu Picchu" means "Old Peak" or "Old Mountain".

Machu Picchu consists of over 150 buildings, ranging from baths and houses to temples and shrines.

Everything that makes Machu Picchu one of the most interesting places in the world — Machu Picchu one of the most interesting places in the world

The compound contains more than 100 separate staircases. Most individual staircases are carved from a single slab of stone.

It is believed that many of the stones that were used to build the city took hundreds of men to push the heavy rocks up the steep mountain side.

There are many different theories about the purpose of Machu Picchu - one of them being a royal estate and a secret ceremonial center among them.

The Incas were some of the best masons in the world. Therefore, the structures are so well built with a technique called ashlar (stones that are cut to fit together without mortar) that even a knife blade cannot fit between the stones.

Machu Picchu was known only locally until Yale professor Hiram Bingham rediscovered the site in 1911. His book, The Lost City of the Incas, was based on his discoveries.

There is a long-standing dispute between Peru and Yale University over the artifacts collected by Bingham during his exploration of the site. Yale claims they own the items, while Peru insists they were leased to them.

Machu Picchu was an astronomical observatory and its sacred stone Intihuatana accurately shows the two equinoxes. Twice a year the sun stands directly on the stone without creating a shadow.

Unfortunately, most of the cities built by the Inca civilization were destroyed by the Spanish conquest. Machu Picchu was in a hidden location – invisible from below – and has not been found, making it one of the best-preserved Inca cities and an archaeological gem.