|
Machu Picchu |
||
|
|
||
|
“Machu Picchu is a trip to the serenity of the soul, to the eternal fusion with the cosmos, there we feel our own fragility. It is one of the greatest marvels in South America. A resting place of butterflies at the epicenter of the great circle of life. One more miracle.” In his work, “The Heights of Machu Picchu”, the Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda describes the wonders and the splendor of Machu Picchu. He states, not only is it a physical wonder, but also touches one spiritually. The city itself is located about 2,000 feet above the Urubamba Valley, and close to 50 miles northwest of Cusco, the ancient Incan capital (“Machu Picchu”). Even though it is in a remote location, Machu Picchu draws in hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. | |
| Historians believe the magnificent city was constructed around 1440 A.D. by the Sapa Inca Pachacuti. After being conquered by the Spanish conquistadors in the 1530s, the city lay uninhabited and forgotten, except to locals, for hundreds of years. However, in 1911, a professor from Yale University by the name of Hiram Bingham rediscovered Machu Picchu (“Machu, Picchu, Peru”). At first, he was mistaken into thinking it was the lost Incan city of Vilcabamba, which when translated means “sacred plain.” He soon realized his mistake because there were no “plains” around and thus self-titled Machu Picchu, “The Lost City of the Incas” (Brumagim). |
|
|
|
What the city was used for is still being debated today. Most believe the ancient ruins were some sort of sanctuary for the Incan royalty. There has been evidence found supporting that the Incan ruler, Pachacuti Yupanqui, used Machu Picchu as a retreat from society (“Machu Picchu”). Another suspected purpose of the city is that it was used as an observatory into space. A large stone, known as the Intihuatana Stone, accurately denotes the two major equinoxes in March and September. When the sun rises above the stone, there is no shadow created, all light appears to be attracted to the stone. Legend has it that when a sensitive person places his/her forehead on the stone, he/she is connected to the spirit world. Sadly, when the conquistadors invaded, they made their objective to destroy all of these stones (“Machu Picchu, Peru”). From temples to a central plaza, there are also many other astounding spectacles that await the ambitious ancient world traveler. | |
| Whether one is a studier of the ancient Incan Empire or a common tourist, Machu Picchu presents its visitors with a sense of awe and trepidation. It is one of history’s hidden treasures and considered one of the top 1,000 places to see before you die (Schultz). The mysterious city of the Incan people draws in thousands of visitors daily, visitors who are seeking a once in a lifetime moment. In order for the wondrous Machu Picchu to be around for the rest of eternity, those who visit should show respect to the ancient city. |
|
|
|
Works Cited Brumagim, Megan, ed. A Let’s Go Travel Guide: Peru, Ecuador & Bolivia, Including the Galapagos Islands. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2003. “Machu Picchu.” HighBeam Encyclopedia. 2007. HighBeam Research, Inc. 24 Jan. 2007. <http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-MachuPic.html>. “Machu Picchu, Peru.” Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Traditions of the World. 2006. Martin Gray. 24 Jan. 2007. <http://www.sacredsites.com/americas/peru/machu_picchu.html>.
Schultz,
Patricia. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler’s Life |
|
| Joe's Page | ||
