6 most mysterious constructions in Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu was an Inca citadel with agricultural, military and religious functions. Since its discovery in 1911, research work has revealed and continues to reveal data about the Inca civilization. However, there are still constructions that are difficult to interpret, such as: the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Sun, the Secret Door and more. Meet the 6 most mysterious constructions of Machu Picchu.
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The Royal Tomb
The Royal Tomb of Machu Picchu is a mausoleum located inside a cavern located just below the Temple of the Sun. It has stone formations carved with great perfection. Inside there are up to four niches with engravings. It would be the tomb of an important character of the Inca nobility, even the emperor himself. However, the mummified body has not been found. Currently the entrance to the Royal Tomb is closed on the classic route through the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Tourists can only observe the entrance to this construction from the outside.
- Where is it? In the heart of the religious sector of Machu Picchu (below the famous Temple of the Sun).
- How to visit it? With any of the types of tickets to Machu Picchu.
The Temple of the Sun
The Temple of the Sun is the most important shrine in Machu Picchu. As its name indicates, the sun was worshiped there, whose rays entered through its windows. In addition, the arrival of the solstices could be determined as well as the changes of seasons. It is built on top of a natural cavern (on top of the Royal Tomb). The Temple of the Sun is made up of finely carved stone blocks with windows, niches and stairways. The walls show evidence of a fire, probably caused by the Spanish when they arrived in the Inca city in the sixteenth century.
- Where is it? In the heart of the religious sector of Machu Picchu (on top of the Royal Tomb).
- How to visit it? With any of the types of tickets to Machu Picchu.
The Secret Door
The Secret Door of Machu Picchu is a walled access in the lower part of the urban sector (the building of the Three Covers) of the Inca citadel. This opening, according to the work of researchers David Crespy and Thierry Jamin in 2011, would hide a significant number of silver and gold objects. In addition, the mummy of Emperor Pachacutec, who ordered the construction of Machu Picchu in 1450, would probably be buried there. These investigations, however, are not enough proof for the Peruvian authorities who decided not to excavate the Secret Gate. Until today it is a mystery what is hidden in this mysterious building.
- Where is it? In the urban sector of Machu Picchu (underneath the Three Doors building).
- How to visit it? Access to this construction is restricted to visitors.
The Temple of the Moon
The Temple of the Moon, also known as The Great Cavern, is a mysterious Inca building located inside a cave on a slope behind the famous Huayna Picchu mountain. In this building there are finely carved walls in the form of windows, niches and walls. Probably, because for the Incas the caves communicated the worlds of the living (the kay pacha) and the dead (the ukhu pacha), important religious ceremonies were performed there. Today it is only possible to visit it with an optional hiking route from the top of the Huayna Picchu mountain.
- Where is it? On the back slope of the Huayna Picchu mountain.
- How to visit it? With the ‘Machupicchu + Huaynapicchu’ entry. An additional 1-hour trek from the top of the mountain is to be undertaken.
The Temple of the Condor
The Temple of the Condor is a three-dimensional construction located in the heart of the urban sector of Machu Picchu. In order to achieve the shape of an Andean condor, the Incas carved a huge rock in the shape of the bird’s body. Underneath they did the same with another stone in the shape of the head of this famous Andean bird. For the Incas, the condor was a sacred bird that connected the world of the gods (the hanan pacha) with the earthly world of the living (kay pacha). To appreciate it you must have a little imagination. The visit to this temple is only possible from 10 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon.
- Where is it? In the urban sector of Machu Picchu (entrance hours from 10 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon).
- How to visit it? With any of the types of tickets to Machu Picchu.
The Sacred Rock
The Sacred Rock is an immense stone monolith carved in the shape of a mountain located a few steps from the access point to the Huayna Picchu mountain. It has a dimension of three meters high on a base of up to 7 meters wide. According to research, its carving obeys the shape of the Pumasillo hill, located in the distance on the opposite side of the Inca citadel. At its feet there is an altar where the Incas made religious offerings. Today, tourists themselves like to bring their hands closer and fill themselves with the energy of this sacred rock. The visit to this construction is open from 6 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.
- Where is it? At one end of the Machu Picchu archaeological site (a few steps from the access point to the Huayna Picchu mountain).
- How to visit it? With any of the types of tickets to Machu Picchu.
By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, August 28, 2023