High in the mountains, large and impressive blocks of stone with no mortar between them, make one of the most important religious, political and cultural centers of the inca empire: Machu picchu[b] is a 15th-century inca citadel located in the eastern cordillera of southern peru on a mountain ridge at 2,430 meters (7,970 ft). Discover peru's iconic machu picchu in our travel guide. Discover unesco-listed inca citadel, trekking routes, best viewpoints, entry tips and local insights.
Understanding the Context
Get facts, photos, and travel tips for the works of machu picchu, a world heritage site in peru, from national geographic. It's no wonder machu picchu is peru's most-visited site. Dating to the mid-1400s, it's a marvel of mortar-free limestone architecture perched on a high plateau deep in the amazonian jungle.
