15:07 | Urubamba (Cusco region), Jul. 7.
The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu marks, on July 7, a milestone in its history—one that filled Peruvians with joy.
What happened on that unforgettable date and why is it significant? Why is it essential to preserve this magnificent monumental legacy, which amazes and draws travelers from around the world?
Historic milestone and global distinction
The growing global fame of the citadel—built in the 15th century by order of the Inca ruler Pachacutec, atop a mountain 2,453 meters above sea level—draws millions of people from around the world who wish to visit it and marvel at its captivating beauty.
Thanks to this well-deserved admiration—expressed through the votes of millions of Peruvians and citizens from different parts of the world—Machu Picchu was declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World on July 7, 2007, in the contest organized by the New 7 Wonders Foundation.
Since then, every July 7, Peruvians—and especially the residents of Machu Picchu Pueblo, in Cusco region—celebrate this global distinction with a packed program of activities, including a formal ceremony, cultural events, and street parades featuring music and dance.
This creates an overall festive atmosphere that encourages the preservation of this magnificent Inca legacy as well.
Other commemorations
Next July 24 will mark the 115th anniversary of explorer Hiram Bingham's arrival at this impressive urban complex, built entirely of stone atop a steep mountain in the cloud-forest fringe of the Cusco region.
Although the first direct references to Machu Picchu date back to 1902, when a group of Cusco residents visited the remains of the Inca construction, it was Hiram Bingham—commissioned by Yale University and the National Geographic Society of the United States—who launched research into what he considered the last capital of the Inca Empire after arriving in 1911.
He also became the chief figure in bringing Machu Picchu to worldwide attention.
Over time, as its importance as an Inca religious, ceremonial, astronomical, and agricultural center became better understood, Machu Picchu was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on December 9, 1983, in recognition of its cultural and natural values.
Two years earlier, on January 8, 1981, Machu Picchu was designated a National Sanctuary and Archaeological Park by Peruvian authorities.
Importance of preserving Machu Picchu
Although the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu stands out as a tourism flagship that captivates the world, it is worth remembering that this majestic monument forms part of the Historic Sanctuary and Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu—two categories that earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Created as a protected natural area on January 8, 1981, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu preserves a unique Andean and Amazonian biodiversity, as well as impressive archaeological monuments of great historical and cultural value.
Foremost among them is the imposing citadel, built entirely of stone atop a mountain, which draws visitors from around the world.
Covering an area of 32,592 hectares, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is crossed by two major mountain ranges in southern Peru: Urubamba and Vilcabamba. Both are home to prominent snow-capped peaks that have been regarded as Apus (tutelary deities) since ancient times.
The sanctuary also holds significant environmental value, with forested areas, steep mountains, and snow-capped peaks.
It is a zone of interaction between the Andean and Amazonian realms and forms part of a narrow transitional belt between both ecosystems. Rugged terrain and steep slopes predominate.
It is located in an area of exceptional geographical features. Within it, one can find everything from snow-capped peaks rising above 6,000 meters above sea level to the hottest and most humid stretch of the Urubamba River—which bisects the sanctuary in two, forming the Torontoy Canyon—at below 2,000 meters in altitude.
Its steep gradient, intensified by the complex wind system it generates, creates microclimates that are the source of great biological diversity.
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu features tropical vegetation in the lower part of its western sector, in the Acobamba River basin.
It is a typical ecosystem of the so-called ceja de selva (cloud-forest fringe), so named because it constitutes the last remnant of native vegetation in this mountainous area and marks the upper limit reached by tropical vegetation in this part of the Andes.
The cloud-forest fringe is home to a great diversity of plant and animal species, which, together with the mountain ecosystems, make Machu Picchu a truly special place.
Exceptional fauna and flora
The area's most representative fauna includes the torrent duck, agouti, vizcacha, coati, white-tailed deer, dwarf deer, Andean fox, puma, woodpecker, Andean cock-of-the-rock, spectacled bear, Andean condor, and neotropical otter.
In the Warmihuañusca sector, visitors can spot vizcachas and deer, and on some occasions even spectacled bears.
Its flora is represented mainly by alder, toroc or cético, white cedar, cascarilla, white pacae, basul, pisonay, chachacomo, yanay, and laurel. At the Warmihuañusca mountain pass, relict forests of unca, queñual, and t'asta can be found.
Orchids also reach exceptional levels of diversity in the sanctuary: 340 species have been recorded, representing around 20% of the total 1,700 species identified in Peru.
Archaeological park
This exceptional natural wealth is complemented by the incomparable archaeological jewel of Machu Picchu, which was declared a mixed World Heritage site—both natural and cultural—by UNESCO on December 9, 1983. Machu Picchu is undoubtedly one of the greatest attractions in South America and Peru.
In addition to the Inca citadel, the site is home to numerous archaeological sites and monuments of great historical and cultural value and worldwide renown, such as Inca Raqay, Intiwatana, Intipata, Choquesuysuy, Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, Phuyupatamarca, Sayacmarca, Runkuraqay, Wayllabamba, Torontoy, Waynaq'ente, Machuq'ente, Q'ente, Qoriwayrachina, Pulpituyoc, Patallacta, and Palccay.
These sites and monuments are linked to complex and remarkable irrigation systems, agricultural terraces, and roads that interconnect them, all of which reflect the high degree of development achieved by the ancient Peruvians.
(END) LZD/MAO/MVB
Published: 7/7/2026