What Is the Real Name of Machu Picchu? Discover Its Quechua Meaning

Learn the true origin and meaning of Machu Picchu's name and its significance in Incan history and culture.

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Machu Picchu, often referred to as the 'Lost City of the Incas', doesn't have a different 'real' name. However, its Quechua name, a native South American language, translates to 'Old Peak' or 'Old Mountain'. The site itself was never known to the Spanish during their conquest and thus retained its indigenous naming. Its discovery to the outside world in 1911 by Hiram Bingham has since made Machu Picchu a symbol of Incan civilization and a marvel of historical architecture.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What does Machu Picchu mean in Quechua? Machu Picchu translates to 'Old Peak' or 'Old Mountain' in the Quechua language, reflecting the site's mountainous location.
  2. Was Machu Picchu known by another name before its discovery? No, Machu Picchu retained its indigenous Quechua name because it was never documented by the Spanish conquistadors.
  3. Who discovered Machu Picchu and when? American explorer Hiram Bingham brought Machu Picchu to international attention in 1911.

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