Santuario Histórico Machu Picchu
An Extraordinary Inca Sanctuary. Perched atop an Andean peak, Machu Picchu continues to fascinate people around the world.
One of the World's Most Iconic Heritage Sites
Perched atop the Andean peak that bears its name, the majestic complex of Machu Picchu was constructed at the height of Incan civilization in the fifteenth century, during the reign of Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui and his descendants. Though it was abandoned within 100 years of its completion, the site offered protection for rebel forces fighting for Peruvian independence from Spain, which was eventually attained in 1821.
Since 1911, when Hiram Bingham of Yale University first arrived at the site at the invitation of the Peruvian government, fascination with Machu Picchu has spread around the globe. It endures as one of the most important and recognized archaeological landscapes in the world.
Balancing Preservation and Tourism
While the seamless stone masonry of the agricultural terraces and structures has stood strong through the ravages of time, war, and earthquakes, the vulnerability of Machu Picchu and its environs should not be underestimated. Steady and significant increases in visitation at the site have prompted development and urbanization in nearby areas to meet the growing tourism needs.
Balancing infrastructure and service requirements with the preservation of this cultural icon remains a constant struggle at Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu's three World Monuments Watch listings over the course of a decade echoed a call for integrated and sustainable management strategies for the site and the surrounding communities, but planned, collective action has yet to be achieved.
