It was one hundred years ago when a young American Yale student Hiram Bingham, guided by locals arrived at Machu Picchu and discovered and unveiled this iconic location to the outside world. Over the years, Bingham cleared four centuries of growth, mapping and studying the site and solving some of the mysteries of this advanced civilisation.
Strings of special events are planned to celebrate the special event (putting pressure on the delicate area) from musical concerts to indigenous rituals. In one moving tribute and after considerable international pressure, a number of treasures taken by Bingham to add to his university's collections, for further study and protection, are going to be returned to Peru to start a museum in Cusco.
Gilbert H. Grosvenor, editor National Geographic magazine, eloquently summed up the wonder of Machu Picchu when he wrote in April 1913 in an issue of the magazine dedicated to Bingham's story and photos (one example included showing the same area as the modern photo) said "What an extraordinary people the builders of Machu Picchu must have been to have constructed, without steel implements, and using only stone hammers and wedges, the wonderful city of refuge on the mountain top."
Indeed, Machu Picchu is one of the finest travel wonders I have ever witnessed, made special by remarkable architecture and techology for the time, the exceptional Andean mountain setting and the superb multi-day hike along the Inca Trail to first see this mysterious lost city on sunrise from an entrance that sits high above the city.
Note: Bingham's photo is in the public domain and is one of hundreds of Bingham's images held by the Peabody Museum, Yale University.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Happy 100th Birthday Machu Picchu (Peru)
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11 comments:
Machu Picchu is my dream destination--it seems to combine all of the elements of travel I love--mystery, history, and a fascinating culture. I had planned to go this spring and Life got in the way...hopefully I will see it next spring. Thanks for further whetting my appetite to see this Wonder! Meg
Machu Picchu is one of those spots I've always dreamed of visiting, but I am afraid it will stay just a dream, as I don't think I can handle the elevation any more. Just imagine being the first European who to lay eyes on this incredible wonder of the past, and understand its scope and importance!
@meg:I hope your plans for next Spring work out. It is a very special experience.
@vera: It is at quite an elevation. I still find it hard to believe where theyt built it and how it has survivied earthquakes and weather so well for the best part of 500 years.
I MUST get to Machu Picchu and soon. Every time I see another of your photos, I hear its siren song!
@barbara: You must. You'd love the place.
Machu Pichu is my personal favorite place where i dream to spend my whole life...I too wants to wish a great 100th Birthday to it....I fell in love with it at the very first sight...It is really a heaven on earth.
@villa estartit: I think nearly everyone who sees it are overwhelmed by its locaton and beauty.
It's still one of my top 2 ruins I've visited - truly amazing. I highly recommend anyone to spend the time and effort to hike into it like the ancient messengers used to do on the Inca Trail. Spending 3 days hiking your way there makes the entry even more memorable!
@sherry: It is my favourite of all ruins (especially due to the path in over multiple days of walking). What is your other favourite??
In a way it makes you realize how new the global scale of tourism really is.
@anil: I'd never thought of it that way, but it certainly does highlight the global nature of tourism.
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