Inti Punku

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Inti Punku
File:Camino-inca-dia4-c04.jpg
People waiting for the sunrise at Inti Punku
Location Peru, Cusco Region
Region Andes
History
Cultures Inca

Inti Punku or Intipunku[1][2] (Quechua inti sun, punku door,[3] "sun door", hispanicized spellings Intipunco, Intipuncu, Inti Puncu) is an archaeological site in the Cusco Region of Peru that was once a fortress of the sacred city, Machu Picchu.[4] It is also the name of an Incan Trail connected to Machu Picchu. It was believed that the steps were a control gate for those who enter and exited the Sanctuary.[5]

It is one of the most important archeological constructions.[6] Inti Punku was once the main entrance to Machu Picchu.[7] This site was the main entry point from the South into Cusco, and the gate would have been protected by its military.[8] Inti Punku is dedicated to the cult of the Inti, the Sun god.[9] The sun would come out from this site. It is located 2745 meters above the sea level. It is a wide archaeological site with windows and gates that are hold up by terrances.[10] This is the first place that tourists can see the whole sanctuary. Tourists are able to see the sun rise over the whole mountains by Machu Picchu. The location of the gate was given to watch the people passing.[11]

Route description

The route covers a distance of approximately a mile, eventually rising above the ruins of Machu Picchu The ruins themselves serve as a final stop for hikers completing an optional five day hike from a point far back from Aguas Calientes, the city at the base of Machu Picchu. This hike has been recommended by many tour guides as giving a great view of the city of Machu Picchu.

In order to get to Inti Punku, the Inca Trail must be trekked,[12] which takes about three to four hours round trip to complete. There are visible signs throughout the Inca Trail indicating directions of the Sun Gate.[13] From the Sun Gate, the Machu Picchu Mountain, Huayna Picchu Mountain, Vilcambamba/Urubamba River, and Putukusi Mountain are all visible [14]

Gallery

  • Sign at check-point near Willkaraqay showing the location of Inti Punku

  • First view of Machu Picchu before sunrise from Inti Punku

See also

References

  1. ↑ sernanp.gob.pe (in Spanish) ("Intipunku")
  2. ↑ http://www.inei.gob.pe Conociendo Cusco, pdf (in Spanish) ("Intipunku")
  3. ↑ Teofilo Laime Ajacopa, Diccionario Bilingüe Iskay simipi yuyayk'ancha, La Paz, 2007 (Quechua-Spanish dictionary)
  4. ↑ [1] ("MachuPicchu")
  5. ↑ [2] ("Sun Gate Inti")
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ "More Tourists at Machu Picchu." Tunnels & Tunnelling International, (1998): 18.
  13. ↑ [3] ("A Guide To Hiking To The Sun Gate")
  14. ↑ [4] ("Sun Gate Inti Punku")

External links

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