Machu Picchu Citadel, Peru

Of course, one of the most recognized and visited tourist attractions of the South American continent is Machu Picchu. The ancient city of the Incas is one of the seven modern wonders of the world. A lot of unsolved mysteries are associated with it. The main mystery lies in the mysterious disappearance of locals who, according to available evidence, left their hometown literally overnight. The town lost in the Peruvian mountains has being empty for three hundred years. Its ruins were discovered accidentally.

There are no written evidences of the existence of the ancient city. Even in the colonial era, no one knew about this city. The site was found only in the early 20th century. During the time of the Incas, Machu Picchu was an impregnable fortress town, whose territory embraced more than 200 buildings. Why did the Incas build such a powerful fortified town high in the mountains, and why they left it so quickly? That's a major mystery that archaeologists and researchers from around the world try to solve.

Only on rough estimates, more than 1 000 people lived there  in the heyday of the city. The old town preserved ruins of magnificent palaces and many other interesting buildings, which are the material embodiment of the unique culture of the Incas. There is also an ancient observatory, as well as rock terraces that were used by farmers. Next - Rapa Nui National Park