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Temples, Machu Picchu
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Temples, Machu Picchu

Temples tips and photos posted by real travelers and Machu Picchu locals.
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Machu Picchu Temples Reviews 1 - 10 of 17  
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Temples: La Plaza Segata
  • Tip Rating:
    • o00o
  • By o00o on June 15, 2004
  • Machu Picchu Page by o00o
    • La Plaza Segata - Machu Picchu
    La Plaza Segata
    by o00o
    The central plaza that separates the religious from the urban section, has a great rock in the center. The religious section contains splendid architecture an masonry work, one of the most important and enigmatic is probably the Intihuatana shrine, this block of granite was presumably used to make astronomical observations.

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    Temples: Temple of the Sun
  • Tip Rating:
    • Paul2001
  • Updated By Paul2001 on February 18, 2005
  • Machu Picchu Page by Paul2001
    • Temple of the Sun - Machu Picchu
    Temple of the Sun
    by Paul2001
    The Temple of the Sun is one of the more famous structures within the ruins of Machu Picchu. It is semicirular in structure consisting of large stones fitted together seamlessly. The temple has a window that is perfectly aligned with the June winter solstice. During this period the rays of the sun would burst through the window lighting up the interior room. From the window, the constellation of the Pleiades can also be seen. This constellation was a very important astronomical symbol for the Inca. The positioning of the Pleiades would tell the Inca peoples when to plant certain crops.

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    Temples: The Temple of The Sun
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    • neilward
  • Updated By neilward on October 22, 2004
  • Machu Picchu Page by neilward
    • Temples - Machu Picchu
    by neilward
    When Bingham found this finely finished ,semi-circular tower,it reminded him of The Koricancha Temple of the Sun in Cusco.Another places where the sun was worshipped,apparnantly he was right.
    2 of the windows here align with the sun rises on the Summer and the Winter solstices.
    From this the Inca astronomers would give information about when and what to harvest.
    Under the Temple is a grotto,called The Royal Tomb,where some tombs were found.

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    Temples: The Temple of Three Windows
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    • Paul2001
  • By Paul2001 on February 19, 2005
  • Machu Picchu Page by Paul2001
    • The Temple of Three Windows - Machu Picchu
    The Temple of Three Windows
    by Paul2001
    The Temple of Three Windows receives its name for the three windows, pictured here in the centre, in the main face of the building. They are flanked by two closed bays. Like many of the doors and windows at Machu Picchu, the windows are of a trapezoid shape. Note how smoothly the huge rocks have been carved and placed so tightly together. From the windows it is possible to see the snowcapped peaks of the nearby mountains. Unfortunately the overcast was too heavy the day I visited to see anything too far distant.

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    Temples: Principal Temple Stonework
  • Tip Rating:
    • cruisingbug
  • Updated By cruisingbug on January 21, 2005
  • Machu Picchu Page by cruisingbug
    • Principal Temple, Machu Picchu, Peru - Machu Picchu
    Principal Temple, Machu
    Picchu, Peru
    by cruisingbug
    The Principal Temple, facing away from Huayna Picchu in the Sacred Plaza, is significant due to its high quality stonework. The ground has settled under one corner, which has caused it to sag slightly, but not collapse, even after 600+ years and countless earthquakes.

    Behind the Principal Temple is the "Sacristy". If you went to see the 12-Edged Stone in Cusco, take a gander at the massive boulders used on either side of the entrance to this small room - each one has at least 33 edges in 3-D, perfectly fitted to the adjoining stones.

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    Temples: Temple of the Sun
  • Tip Rating:
    • cruisingbug
  • By cruisingbug on January 21, 2005
  • Machu Picchu Page by cruisingbug
    • Temple of the Sun, Machu Picchu, Peru - Machu Picchu
    Temple of the Sun, Machu
    Picchu, Peru
    by cruisingbug
    The Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu is built on a curved foundation of natural rock. Underneath is the so-called "Royal Tomb", where mummies were found laid out.

    The Temple entrance is cordoned off, but you can see inside it from above - just go out to the steps on the right and up two levels. The window on the left (can't see from this picture) is the Serpent Window, so named because of the holes along the edges.

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    Temples: The Circular Temple of the Sun Stands Out
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    • AKtravelers
  • Updated By AKtravelers on March 26, 2005
  • Machu Picchu Page by AKtravelers
    • The Temple of the Sun in front of Huayna Picchu - Machu Picchu
    The Temple of the Sun in
    front of Huayna Picchu
    by AKtravelers
    Machu Picchu's Temple of the Sun is immediately recognizable from above, when you first enter the ruined city by the guardhouse. In a city of rectangular walls and floor plans, it is the only circular structure. Inside the curved wall is a rock that contains a straight ledge that bisects the beam of sun entering the temple at sunrise on 21 June -- the winter solstice. This evidence led people to believe that thetemple was a solar observatory or had some role in a heliocentric religion.

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    Temples: Temple of the Sun
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    • ThiagoRamos
  • By ThiagoRamos on March 1, 2007
  • Machu Picchu Page by ThiagoRamos
    • Temple of the Sun and Ceremonial Baths - Machu Picchu
    Temple of the Sun and
    Ceremonial Baths
    by ThiagoRamos, 3 more photos
    After walking past the Residential Sector, youŽll reach the District of the Priests and Nobility, where all the temples and palaces are located.

    The Temple of the Sun, shaped like a "P", will certainly call your attention from almost everywhere in Machu Picchu. It was a temple dedicated to Inti, the Sun God, the most important divinity for the incas.

    A few mummies were found above this temple, most of then were women.

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    Temples: The Temple of 3 Windows
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    • neilward
  • Updated By neilward on October 22, 2004
  • Machu Picchu Page by neilward
    • Temples - Machu Picchu
    by neilward
    The facade faces the east,this photo shows how The Sacred Plaza rest on a series of terraces on the slpoe of the mountain.

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  • Directions: In the Urban sector.
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    Temples: Temple of the Sun
  • Tip Rating:
    • Jim_Eliason
  • Updated By Jim_Eliason on August 9, 2005
  • Machu Picchu Page by Jim_Eliason
    • Temple of the Sun - Machu Picchu
    Temple of the Sun
    by Jim_Eliason
    Here is the stone designed by its shadow to mark the equinox. It demonstrates the sophisticated astronomonical knowledge of the Incas.

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