Llamas graze overlooking the Plaza and Eastern Urban Sector

In 1911 a young Yale explorer, Hiram Bingham, was led to Machu Picchu by local Indians. The city had not been discovered by the Spanish conquerers who destroyed other Inca cities and melted priceless gold art work for the metal alone.

The conquest in the 1530s was tragic for the Inca. Throughout the Inca Empire terror reigned as the Spanish soldiers slaughtered the populace while over-zealous Spanish missionaries demolished precious stone sculptures which they felt were non-Christian icons.

Machu Picchu escaped this devastation and today, in its magnificent setting, it is a treasure trove of art and architecture which dazzles our eyes. In addition are engineering achievements and astronomical alignments which give thoughtful scientists much to puzzle over.