Machu Picchu (world history)

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, located in the high Andes Mountains of Peru, is an ancient city of the Inca Empire. Although it is expansive, the city is built on a steep slope that makes it almost invisible from the lower areas, leading to its nickname, “‘The City in the Sky.” The site is surrounded by sturdy stone walls, and the buildings are made of stone. Despite its age, the remarkable stone construction methods used to build the city continue to fascinate people around the world.

The exact purpose of Machu Picchu’s construction is still a mystery. Some believe it was built by the Incas to escape Spanish invasions, while others think it was created to avoid natural disasters. In the late 1500s, the Incas abandoned the city for unknown reasons, and it remained lost to the world for nearly 400 years. It was rediscovered in 1911 by a historian, and due to its mystery and beauty, it is recognized as one of the “Seven Wonders of the World.”