![Machu Picchu in Peru - Ruins of Inca Empire city and Huaynapicchu Mountain in Sacred Valley, Cusco](https://images.followalice.com/OAr9GK3E08JjgawD1cttW/d11de5922dfef818d0c6eb9e370010a6/Ours._Machu_Picchu_in_Peru_-_Ruins_of_Inca_Empire_city_and_Huaynapicchu_Mountain_in_Sacred_Valley__Cusco-2.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=1200&h=1200)
Why was Machu Picchu built on that high ridge? And why abandoned so soon after?
We know you've seen the sublime photos of the ruins of Machu Picchu perched on a high ridge with a dramatic drop to the river below and thought: holy smokes! WOW. But why was it even built in such a place? And why was it abandoned after just 100 years?
![Machu Picchu early sunlight, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/1O1VZSzy35DwgOGeFKcLDc/b016a7acaffc4daf61c047b9700de038/Machu_Picchu_early_sunlight__Peru.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Why was Machu Picchu built there?
![Pink flowers with ruins of Machu Picchu behind, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/1mDqPL1EWcY9UDSYoDVd2Q/8616a068f75d9b0ba22770eb2b248b0a/machu-picchu-gd4697fb7f_1280.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
It was a spiritual centre and pilgrimage site. It's been argued that the placement of the settlement above the sacred Urubamba River on a ridge that offers morning and afternoon sun (the Incas worshipped the sun god Inti) as well as clear views of the moon and stars was no accident. There are also excellently carved ceremonial buildings, which lend credence to this theory. But if this theory is correct, why was it then neglected? It was a military station. The precipitous location of Machu Picchu would certainly have made it an excellent lookout spot and a site that's easy to defend. Yet some of the buildings are too finely constructed to suggest a mere militaristic site. (For this same reason, among others, most also rule out the idea that it was simply an administrative centre.) It was a royal retreat. There are a few reasons that make this a very plausible theory, like the fact that Machu Picchu was relatively small, had a mixture of grand homes but also smaller ones (presumably for retainers), had ceremonial buildings, and is located in such a glorious spot. No matter the epoch, people with means seek out beautiful places for getaways!
Why was Machu Picchu abandoned?
![Clouds and mist surrounding Machu Picchu ruins, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/2N3l5mK6shzV2ihVRvd7mF/30df57ea40249bce5f730c2b5727ece2/Ours._Clouds_and_mist_surrounding_Machu_Picchu_ruins__Peru__1_.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
The mists that cloak Machu Picchu most mornings are an apt symbol for the mystery that shrouds the ruins' history.
![Spanish colonial church in Cusco, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/XBAXVAedDe9MuwB3twnWE/385496102d14d9a7e5d4ad915d01238c/Ours._Spanish_colonial_church_in_Cusco__Peru__1_.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=541)
Was Machu Picchu actually forgotten?
![Hiram Bingham by tent in Peru, 1912](https://images.followalice.com/3BouBTDqPb0G5OwQBo4Nrg/bb73a96bfe8ae85dd2a31dc39aa2b6c0/Hiram_Bingham_by_tent__1912.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=449)
Others already knew about Machu Picchu
![Steep terraces of Machu Picchu](https://images.followalice.com/5OXEhnyEqFSH3wXOeYrKQZ/0ea5cc92af1d2409794bc11e6581690b/macchu-picchu-g9a66c4c6d_1280.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=450)
Making Machu Picchu known to the world
Thanks to his friendship with the cofounder of Kodak, Bingham's snaps of Machu Picchu are among the world's first-ever panoramic photographs.
The best way to approach Machu Picchu
![machu-picchu-mist-visitors](https://images.followalice.com/3TliKC8o3lQW8qBxjsYh9t/fd8ad8ec7f31271c0d120161c0ca35a9/machu-pichu-g2a07fa3f3_1280.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=450)
![Machu Picchu citadel through clouds in the morning, seen from Sun Gate Inti Punku entrance from Inca Trail, Urubamba, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/1FtJw4r4aZYPpYdBSIxbRI/d320b9101af097dc82b516c279785ddd/Ours._Machu_Picchu_citadel_through_clouds_in_the_morning__seen_from_Sun_Gate_Inti_Punku_entrance_from_Inca_Trail__Urubamba__.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=511)