Everything You Need To Know About The Historic Sanctuary Of Machu Picchu

The Historic Sanctuary Of Machu Picchu: Key Facts About This Ancient Site

Built back in 1450 by the ancient Inca civilization, Machu Picchu was actually one of the final giant complexes to be built by any culture in Peru before the Spanish Empire arrived.

This means that there were many advanced techniques utilised by the Inca for the designing of different temples and sanctuaries here, as well as the overall layout. It’s important to know that the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu was created as a resort estate for the Emperor Pachacuti (who was the ninth Inca King), and as such is the reason why it is so grandiose.

As with many other ruins throughout the Sacred Valley (such as Pisac Ruins and Ollantaytambo Ruins), as well as those found on the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu was strategically built on top of a mountain. This allowed for 360° views around the valleys, where they could easily warn of any impending attacks.

Where Is The Historic Sanctuary Of Machu Picchu?

The historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu is located within the remote depths of the Cusco region, in Southern Peru. It’s situated roughly 75km northwest of Cusco, which is the gateway city for all travellers heading to the ancient site.

Whilst Machu Picchu is located on top of a mountain, the surrounding topography isn’t quite what you would expect when imagining the towering Andes Mountains. This is because it’s located lower down at an altitude of 2450m, and is also not so far from the high Amazon Jungle.

This means that the surrounding valleys and mountains are covered with green forests, and are a really refreshing site to see when peering from above on top of the Machu Picchu site.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Historic Sanctuary Of Machu Picchu

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

Why Is Machu Picchu Considered A Sanctuary?

Machu Picchu is commonly referred to as a sanctuary given the amount of historical wonders that are found in and around the site. This includes several temples and shrines within Machu Picchu, as well as the nearby Sun Gate temple which marks the end of the legendary Inca Trail.

How Much Of Machu Picchu Is Original?

Excavations of Machu Picchu first began in 1911, some 400+ years after the site was abandoned when the Inca civilization fell. Given the site was never found by the Spanish Empire, it’s estimated that roughly 70-80% of everything you see here is completely original and built as it first was by the Inca.

Where Is The Secret Temple Located In Machu Picchu?

Just outside of Machu Picchu we can find another secret temple, which is known as the Temple of the Moon. It’s located within the adjacent mountain of Huayna Picchu, and is lesser-known as there are strict limits on how many tourists can hike this other mountain each day (permits can easily be bought when buying your Machu Picchu tickets with us).

Overview Of The Historic Sanctuary Of Machu Picchu

And that’s all for this guide on everything you need to know about the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Located deep within the towering Andean mountains, the ancient site of Machu Picchu is steeped in both interesting and puzzling history. Given it was built as a resort for the emperor Pachacuti, this means we can see both incredible stone structures as well as getting some unbeatable views over the surrounding green valleys.

Are you ready to complete your dream and visit the sacred site of Machu Picchu? Here at AB Expeditions we operate various tours to Machu Picchu, which include all transport, meals, a professional guide as well as your official entrance ticket to the archaeological site.