Page 7 - Machu Picchu

However, Machu Picchu is undoubtedly one of the archaeological wonders of the world, not only be-
cause it was built on a hill with difficult access, but also because it is one of the urban projects that
blend seamlessly with surrounding natural landscape. There is no doubt that these ruins are just valu-
able to humanity than any of the other wonders of the world.

It is said that the construction of the citadel was actually during the height of the Inca Wiraqocha,
eighth king of Cusco.

In fact, the Inca ordered the construction of a hill in the beautiful palace for housing, temples to the
sun god and the moon goddess and numerous houses to host its beautiful women, all very similar to
those that existed in Cuzco.

Machupicchu had a specific role: to be the favorite place of the Inca Wiraqocha for rest and recre-
ation. An accessory role was as an astronomical observatory.

It reached its maximum splendor during the reign of Wiraqocha Inca, who governed Cuzco like a kind
king, gentle and loved by his subjects. Its decline started when Wiraqocha flees cowardly, leaving Cus-
co against the military invasion of the Chanka state, led by an ambitious king named Uscovilca, and
takes refuge in the citadel making it his permanent resident.

Kusi, one of the minor children of Wiraqocha, without hearing the advice of his father, who asked to
submit humbly to the Chankas, faces the invading army and defeats him in paths and bloody battles.
Since then Kusi Yupanqui, virtually assumed power creates its own army and the Royal Council of
Wiraqocha undergoes him.

The place where Wiraqocha fled before the attack Chanka was at that time called Llaki Qawana
(“The look of sadness”). The so called Kaqya Qawana Cuzco. (“Place where you look the ray”). Only
later was called Machu Picchu.

After the victory over the Chanka, young Kusi humbly offered the spoils of war to his father Wiraqo-
cha who contemptuously replied that his son and successor Urko, a hopeless drunk and sexual pervert,
should receive the loot. Resented by the rudeness that his father had done, Kusi returned to Cuzco
to consolidate its power and focus on reconstruction and beautification of the city. But secrecy also
planned the death of his main rival: his brother Urko. Fact that was held shortly afterwards.

Wiraqocha deeply moved and saddened by the murder of Urko, his dearest son, decided to stay
forever in his citadel and not see his young and victorious son Kusi Yupanqui, whom he hated in the
depths of his being.

Only a clever strategy of the Royal Council, brought out of his refuge Wiraqocha to visit Cuzco: They
told him that his son Kusi “invited” to personally observe the transformation that had taken place in
its main city. Once in Cuzco, Wiraqocha still surprised by the victory of his son before the Chankas,
resigned since the death of his favorite son and successor Urko and admired by the power achieved
by his despised son, seeing the great transformation of the city Cuzco, named his son Kusi, PACHACU-
TEC “the transformer of the world”.
However, Kusi would not wait longer to become king and quickly pulled the tassel of her father’s head
and placed himself, becoming recognized since then as absolute king, adopting the nickname that his
father had given him: PACHAKUTEQ.

MACHU PICCHU | 7
7 / SEPT 2016 / ISSUU 08