Definition

Proper noun: - A historic Inca citadel in Peru: Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca fortress city located high in the Andes mountains of Peru. It was rediscovered by the outside world in 1911 and is believed to have been constructed in the 15th century.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Machu Picchu is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.
  • We hiked the Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu.
  • The construction of Machu Picchu without mortar is an engineering marvel.

Advanced Usage

• "the lost city of Machu Picchu": a common epithet emphasizing its historical disappearance and rediscovery.
  • The explorer Hiram Bingham is credited with bringing the lost city of Machu Picchu to international attention.

Variants and Related Words

• Citadel (n): a fortress, typically one on high ground protecting or dominating a city. Machu Picchu is often described as a citadel.
• Archaeological site (n): a place where physical remains of past human activity are preserved. Machu Picchu is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Synonyms

• Inca ruins: a general term for the archaeological remains of the Inca civilization, which includes Machu Picchu.
• Ancient city: a broad term describing any old, historically significant urban settlement.

Related Phrases

• "Gateway to Machu Picchu": often refers to the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), the access point for visitors.
  • We spent the night in the gateway to Machu Picchu before taking the bus up the mountain.

Related Concepts

• Wonder of the World: Machu Picchu is frequently listed among the New Seven Wonders of the World.
• Inca Empire: the historical civilization that built and inhabited Machu Picchu.

Noun

1. Inca fortress city in the Andes in Peru discovered in 1911; it may have been built in the 15th century