HISTORY

 

 

Machu Picchu was constructed in the 1400’s at the explosion of the Inca Empire, this lost city was abandoned less than 100 years after its construction. It was abandoned as a delayed result of the Spanish invasion. It is likely that most of its population died from smallpox, brought by voyagers before the Spanish invaders.

 

Because there are no historical records of the Spanish ever knowing the Inca city, it was important to their survival, as most of the Inca constructions in the Cusco area were completely destroyed by the Spanish, and new European constructions were built on top of these destroyed ruins. However, today most of the structures have been restored to show tourists what the buildings looked like in the beginning.

 

Although Machu Picchu was already known locally, it was not known to outsiders until American historian Hiram Bingham brought the mysterious wonder to international attention. Since then it has become one of the most important tourist attractions in Peru and worldwide.

 

In 1981, Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary and in 1983 it was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Also on July 7, 2007 it was declared one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”.