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Temple of Three Windows

  • July 27, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by LenR from Townsville, Australia
Temple of Three Windows

The Temple of Three Windows, together with the Principal Temple and the Intihuatana, make up what Bingham called the Sacred Plaza. He believed that the three windows framing the distant mountains represented the three mythological caves from which the Ayar brothers, children of the sun, stepped into the world. The explorer believed that the fact that a temple at Machu Picchu had three large windows, a rare feature in Inca architecture, was evidence of the city’s importance to the Inca.

Located west of the main square, this sacred temple of the Three Windows is known for its huge walls and three trapezoidal-shaped windows through which the sun's rays would pass illuminating the "Sacred Plaza" beyond. This wall is built from one gigantic stone.

The Temple of the Three Windows housed an altar which was possibly used to sacrifice children for Pachamama (Mother Earth) in times of desperation. In front of the Wayrana-style construction, on the large doorjamb next to the central column, there is a sculpted lithograph with carefully polished moulds and flat parts. Shards of smashed pottery were found beneath the temple perhaps indicating to some experts that pots would have been ritually broken here.

The view from Machu Picchu's Sacred Plaza makes one appreciate the superb craftsmanship of the Inca workmen. Surrounding the plaza are the most important buildings of the city. Nearby is the Principal or Main Temple. It is built of three walls and is 11m long and 8m wide. This is an example of excellent Inca stonemasonry, with its large stone blocks polished smooth and joined perfectly. At one end there is a rare example of a wall failure. It appears that the stones were placed on inadequate foundations and the earth has settled over the years

One of the highlights of a Machu Picchu visit is to see the Intiwatana stone. This is located on a highpoint made up of several terraces. You gain access to the stone via 78 well-crafted steps. At the end of the staircase you enter an open patio with walls equally well-sculpted, and where one can see an upper platform where there is a granite rock sculpted into three steps. In the central part there is a rectangular prism that is 36cm high and which is pointing from North-West to South-East.
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Its four corners are directed to the four cardinal points. The Intiwatana apparently had specific functions: it measured time (the solstice and the equinox) by using sunlight and shadow, and also served as an altar.


The Spanish did not find Machu Picchu so the Intihuatana stone here was not destroyed as many other ritual stones in Peru were. The Spanish destroyed them because they deemed them to be objects of pagan worship. These stones are arranged to point directly at the sun during the winter solstice. Intihuatana also is called "The Hitching Point of the Sun" because it was believed to hold the sun in its place along its annual path in the sky. At midday on March 21 and September 21, the equinoxes, the sun stands almost above the pillar—casting no shadow.

From journal Magical Machu Picchu

Editor Pick

Temple of the Sun

  • July 27, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by LenR from Townsville, Australia
Temple of the Sun

You can easily pick out the Temple of the Sun among the ruins, as its rounded walls make it a very distinctive landmark. These rounded walls best exhibit the masonry skills that the Inca developed. The large granite blocks are polished and rounded to fit perfectly with the rocks around them. It truly is something to examine up close, and when you consider that the builders employed no cement or mortar to bind their structures, it's easy to imagine how painstaking the process must have been.

According to Inca mythology, Manco Capac was the first king of the original Kingdom of Cusco, and myth has it that he was born from the sun god Inti. Rising from Lake Titicaca, Manco Capac would establish the Inca civilization in Cusco. Inti was worshiped with fervor, as the Inca placed prime importance in the sun's life giving powers. The Inca civilization depended highly on agriculture, and this was one reason for them to worship the sun. Given the sun's light and warmth, it figured prominently within the Inca religion, which found its basis in nature. The Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu was dedicated to Inti, whom they wished to keep content.

Depending on whether you took the ascending path upon entry to Machu Picchu, or the descending path to the right, you will either have to climb or go down a series of stairs to get to the Temple of the Sun. The Temple served as a solar observatory, and its windows are placed at key points for observing the solstices. If you are standing on the ledge that sits above the temple, you can observe the aligned window that was meant to signal the June winter solstice. There are two trapezoidal windows in this building with protruding knobs at every comer, and on the north side there is a carefully-sculpted door with bored holes in the doorjamb.

There is a stone at the center of the Temple of the Sun, which acted as an Inca calendar according to how it caught the sun's rays. It is also believed that the structure is an altar, which was used for animal sacrifices. Priests would use the organs of the animals to aid in their religious predictions. It is believed that the Inca also observed the constellation of Pleiades from a window. This constellation supposedly helped the Inca calculate when the rains would come, helping them pick the right time to plant their crops.

Next to the Temple of the Sun is the Chamber of the Princess, and below the temple is The Royal Tomb. The building was most likely used for Inca nobility, which may explain why Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham chose its name. A three-walled house standing next to the chamber has been restored with a thatched roof and provides a good illustration of how Inca buildings might have once looked. The Royal Tomb is a bit of a misnomer due to the fact that neither graves nor human remains have ever been encountered here. This cave-like structure, however, is an excellent example of the Inca's stonemasonry genius. Located inside is a stepped altar and a series of tall niches, once used to present offerings.

From journal Magical Machu Picchu

Editor Pick

Machu Picchu site

  • July 27, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by LenR from Townsville, Australia
Machu Picchu site

Most people would have seen amazing pictures of Machu Picchu on TV and I wondered if I would be disappointed by the real thing. I shouldn’t have worried because this is better than any depiction can ever convey. The place is simply magnificent.

Due to the fact that Machu Picchu was never found by the Spanish, it appears much today like it did when it was in use. The major difference is the lack of roofs on the buildings but this is understandable as they were all of thatch. As you enter the site of the Machu Picchu ruins, you might choose to take the path to the left that heads uphill. Here, the Caretaker's Hut and the Funerary Rock vie for competition with the amazing overhead view of the complex. The surrounding area was dedicated to agriculture, and as such, is aptly named the Agricultural Center.

The exact purpose that ancient Machu Picchu served is an issue of debate, with a few main theories that seem to be among the most plausible. Some scholars believe that Machu Picchu was a center of administration and a sort of look out post along a major Inca road. Others think that perhaps Machu Picchu was a retreat of sorts for the Inca Pachacutec, who lived in the city with his family clan. When we examine the presence of the Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu, it appears that Machu Picchu may have been first and foremost a sacred center, where the natural land was highly revered and worshiped.

If you haven’t hiked here there are a couple of great hikes within the park which I strongly recommend. The first is to Huayna Picchu the peak which you see in the background of most Machu Picchu photographs. Only 400 people are allowed to hike this peak per day so you need to get there early if you want to be one of them. It’s roughly a 3 hour round trip. The climb is steep and narrow in parts but the view from the top is great. At 7:00 400 ticket numbers are issued and the first of batch of 200 hikers is slowly released. The second group of 200 can start any time between 10:00 and 11:00. On busy tourist days, the limit will be reached by 7 or 8.


Another recommended hike is to the Sungate which is where the trekkers get their great view of the citadel. The hike to the Sungate is about an hour each way but it’s not as steep as Huayna Picchu. This hike will, however, still test your energy levels and at the same time give you a taste for what the trekkers experience over four difficult days.

There are many things within the site worth seeing and I write about two of these in other entries. One thing that I wondered about before going to Machu Picchu was how a city near the top of a mountain could be supplied with enough water to survive. I found the answer in the South of the complex, between the Temple of the Sun and the Royal Palace, where there are a series of water fountains, the only sources of the vital element for the residents of Machu Picchu. The first three water fountains have been extremely well sculpted. The architectural structures in this area are basically sculpted rock to which are added other decorations such as the spillway and the side walls. This beautiful finish is due to the harmony existing between the Temple of the Sun and the Royal Palace. These fountains were fed by underground water and carried via a canal to be used for irrigation of crops. The fountains ensured clean water to the population of the city.

Visiting Machu Picchu isn't cheap. As of March 2009, the entrance fee to the site was 124 soles; students with an ISIC pay 61 soles. The cheapest train ticket to Aguas Calientes available to foreigners is US$98 return.

From journal Magical Machu Picchu

Editor Pick

Pure Inca Gold

  • April 6, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by britgirl7 from Dallas, Texas
Pure Inca Gold


For most people seeing Machu Picchu is the cherry on their Peruvian cake.
Indeed the ancient Inca site is perhaps one of the most stunning in the world.

I had read the blogs, scoured photos and memorized the history of Machu Picchu before I even set foot in Peru and yet on arrival to Machu Picchu I was still blown away.
You cannot help but be impressed

Here is a site which will help you with practicalities
http://www.machu-picchu.info/

There a re a couple of ways to see M.P
The most adventurous way is to take one of the many treks.

The assortment on offer can be confusing but one name that kept coming up in my reading was www.llamapath.com.

It seems they had many alternative tours that take the adventurer off the well beaten Inca trail as well as stating they care for their porters welfare
These treks vary from 4-12 days and involve hiking and camping (usually with the porters carrying your equipment) and vary greatly in price so do shop around but also realize the trek is tough and in high altitude so don’t scrimp too much…you do get what you pay for so look for companies with good recommendations

For those with less time to spare there are other options
There is short trek available (2 days/I night) However on this trek it is no longer possible to camp by Machu Picchu overnight so the trekkers have to return down to Aguas Caliente for the evening.

The easiest alternative is to take the train from Cuzco (or Ollantaytambo) to Aguas Calinte and from A.G its possible to walk (very steep and not terribly exciting) up or take the $14 shuttle

I understand its very enticing to want to hike up but if you cannot spare the 4 days for the full hike I highly recommend taking the shuttle bus up and saving your energies for hikes within the site

Tickets to enter Machu Picchu are bought in Aquas Calinte from the main square and at the time I wrote this were 124 soles (about $42) Its not cheap !!!
If you return multiple days be aware that you must buy the tickets again.

On entering Machu Picchu they tell you no bottles (water) or food. They are trying so very hard to protect the environment yet at the same time the hiking within Machu Picchu can be strenuous too so I suggest sneaking in a bottle of water and snack bar but please don’t little.
There are no rubbish bins in Machu Picchu and no vendors…It makes it more special this way so help keep it clean

Depending how you arrive in Machu Picchu will determine your first view. Treks arrive via the Sungate and avoid tourist entry point. Their view (from the Sungate) is quiter and more atmospheric for sure
If you arrive via bus (or the walk uphill) you will enter with the majority of the tourists. On entry there will be the option to walk up (long route) or down (short route)

The Long route is not too difficult and takes you to the best viewing platform in the whole park. Vista Panormic where most people capture the typical shots you see of Machu Picchu with the building in the foreground and the towering peak of Wayne Picchu (old peak) behind,

We were there out of season and other than a few tour groups coming and going it was not too crazy at all.

Because we stayed in Aguas Caliente and did not come as part of a tour we were able to arrive and leave when we wanted.
There were times we felt almost alone amongst the Inca sites and that is when it felt really special
Look out for the wandering llama around Machu Picchu. They will add a fun dimension to your holiday snaps

If you haven’t hiked here there are a couple of great hikes within the park.
Waynu Picchu is the "young" peak which you see in the background of most M.P photographs. Only 400 people are allowed to hike this peak per day so get there early if you want to be one of them.

Its roughly 1 hour each way; although of course it is much tougher going up than down. The climb is steep and I often needed to use my hands on the uneven stairs. At one point there was even a narrow cave to climb through.
The view from the top however is so very worth it.

Another internal hike is to the Sungate which is where the trekkers enter. Again the hike to the Sungate is about an hour each way. Its not as steep as Waynu Picchu but don’t think its easy either.

This hike will test your energy levels and at the same time give you a taste for what the trekkers see on their own arrival

From journal South of the Equator to Peru

Banos Thermales

  • February 28, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Kate326 from West Hempstead, New York
Post-trekkers flock to the eponymous Baños Thermales (thermal baths), from which the moniker Aguas Calientes (Hot Waters) was derived. Following a 10-minute walk up Avenida Pachacutec, suits can be purchased (S/5) or rented (S/3), and admission costs S/10 or $4. Lockers are available to store your belongings for a minimal fee, as are towels, but you may want to invest in your own pair of sandals.

Although some may shy away from the volcanic rock baths at first sight due to its disconcerting cloudy complexion, they are a great way to unwind and relax those sore, hardworking muscles, even the ones you never knew you had. Many people opt to take a fresh dip in the morning, after the baths have been fully cleansed from the night before (open 5 am to 9 pm). There are 4 baths in total of varying temperatures. Only the main pool is piping hot; all others are cold, including one with ice cold mountain water; so check before jumping in.

Incase you get thirsty, do as the sign says and whistle. Poolside friendly bar service is on call. (I cannot remember the bartenders name, but he was--like most spiritual local Peruvians--not only proud of his heritage and culture but also full of life and love for the land). Once you have your cocktail in hand, kick back and relax as Pink Floyd and other trippy beats resonate throughout the open air.

From journal Aguas Calientes at a Glance

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