The House of the Inca at Machu Picchu
The House of the Inca, as its name indicates, was the main dwelling of the emperor in Machu Picchu. This stone construction, which is also called ‘royal residence’, is made up of rooms, verandas, and bathrooms all built and carved in fine stone. Its function was to receive the Inca in his sporadic visits to Machu Picchu. Today it is one of the most famous constructions in the visit to the archaeological site.
Content
- The House of the Inca or Royal Residence
- The Inca’s House in the religious sector of Machu Picchu
- The history of the Inca House
- Schedule to visit the Inca House
- More temples and important buildings at Machu Picchu
- Comparison between the Intihuatana and the Temple of the Sun
- Questions and answers about the House of the Inca
The House of the Inca or Royal Residence
The House of the Inca, as its name indicates, was the residence of the emperor, or his royal family, during his short visits to the llaqta of Machu Picchu.
The House of the Inca is located in the residential area of Machu Picchu. Due to the importance of its function, it was built just below the Temple of the Sun, the most important religious precinct in the Inca citadel.
Due to being a construction destined for the Inca, it was built with granite stone with the finest carving. During the visit, patios, rooms, windows, niches, bathrooms, and even a direct water canalization only for the House of the Inca can be appreciated.
The Inca’s House has one of the best views of Machu Picchu. In Inca times, the niches and walls were finely decorated with vicuña skins, gold leaf, precious stones, and more.
The Inca emperor, who during the construction of the enclosure was Pachacutec, resided for a long period in this enclosure. It is believed that the emperor decided to make Machu Picchu his burial place. However, his mummy was never found.
The visit to the Inca House is only possible with the following tickets: a) Machupicchu + Huaynapicchu ticket, b) Machupicchu + Huchuypicchu ticket, and c) Machupicchu + Mountain ticket. These tickets include circuits 3 or 4 in Machu Picchu. These circuits include the visit to the Royal Residence.
This Inca construction, despite its historical importance, is not very visited by tourists. It is that most tourists make the circuit 2 by Machu Picchu. This circuit does not include the visit to the Royal Residence.
The construction of Machu Picchu
It is estimated that Machu Picchu was built around 1450 AD. The site was chosen for the proliferation of granite stones, as well as for its beautiful geography, ideal for the worship of the gods. The site was built mainly by times, that is, people from distant regions who were educated on Inca construction techniques, as well as terraces, roads, and more. The construction of Machu Picchu was unfinished because many temples, roads, and terraces were not finished until the invasion of the Spanish in the sixteenth century. However, its construction was so perfect that its majestic stone structures are still standing today.
The Inca’s House in the religious sector of Machu Picchu
The House of the Inca is located in the religious sector of Machu Picchu. At the top is the Temple of the Sun, a structure built on a rock formation.
La Residencia Real is 2,430 meters above sea level.
To reach this important Inca construction you must start from the entrance gate of Machupicchu. Circuit 3 or 4 begins with a walk through the lower part of the Inca citadel. In the sector of the platforms, the tourist can get beautiful pictures. Then continue on foot entering the sacred sector where you can see the famous Temple of the Sun. A few steps away, the next construction to visit is the House of the Inca.
The history of the Inca House
Machu Picchu was built, according to Carbon 14 evidence, in approximately 1450 AD. Pachacutec (1349 A.D. – 1408 A.D.), considered the most important Inca emperor, ruled at that time. It was this Inca who ordered the construction of Machu Picchu as an urban and religious center and a strategic place for sporadic visits in his kingdoms of the jungle (Antisuyo).
The site chosen for the construction of Machu Picchu was chosen for the proliferation of granite stones. It was also chosen for its beautiful geography, ideal for the worship of the gods. The Inca citadel was built mainly by times, that is, people from distant regions who were educated on Inca construction techniques, as well as terraces, roads, and more.
The House of the Inca was designed to serve as a royal residence during the visit of Pachacutec or his blood family. It was located in the heart of the religious sector, in the lower part of the Temple of the Sun, which was the most important shrine of Machupicchu.
The Inca visited Machu Picchu at least once a year. The qhapac ñan or Inca roads were the routes that led him through the eastern kingdoms. Along the way, the emperor verified the correct production of food, the subordination of the inhabitants, and the progress of the limits of the empire. During these visits, the House of the Inca was his resting place.
The Inca’s House, due to its excellent construction with carved stones, did not suffer severe damage despite the passage of more than 500 years. Water still flows through its canals (the Royal Residence had its water source).
Today it is one of the least visited Inca buildings (only available in circuits 3 and 4), but most important for its historical value.
Schedule to visit the Inca House
The Royal Residence can be visited through the following tickets: a) Machupicchu + Huaynapicchu ticket, b) Machupicchu + Huchuypicchu ticket, and c) Machupicchu + Mountain ticket. These tickets include circuits 3 or 4 in Machu Picchu. These circuits include the visit to the Royal Residence.
Visiting hours are every day, including Sundays and holidays, from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
More temples and important buildings at Machu Picchu
These are other important temples and buildings on the visit to Machu Picchu:
- Temple of the Sun – On top of the Inca House is this building that was the main shrine to the sun god (Inti). It is the only semicircular structure in Machu Picchu. It has a diameter of 10.5 meters. It also has windows through which the sun’s rays fall, as well as niches for worship. In its walls, there is evidence of suffering a fire in colonial times.
- Main Temple – This famous construction was the center of meetings and ceremonies in the Inca citadel. It has a diameter of 2 meters with four-sided surfaces. Due to the passage of time, it was damaged in one of its corners. At the back, there is a stairway that leads to the famous Intihuatana.
- Intihuatana – This iconic construction is located in the highest part of the religious sector of Machu Picchu. It is a large stone monolith carved on three levels with a polygonal formation at the top. Its four sides mark the cardinal points. Under the rays of the sun, the seasons of sowing and harvesting can be predicted. It is believed that by reaching out the visitor is filled with solar energy.
Comparison between the Intihuatana and the Temple of the Sun
Learn about the differences and similarities between the House of the Inca and the Temple of the Sun, two of the most important buildings in Machu Picchu:
| The House of the Inca | The Temple of the Sun | |
|---|---|---|
| Where is it? | In the upper sacred sector | In the lower part of the sacred sector |
| What is your altitude? | 3,096 masl | 3,096 masl |
| What does your name mean? | The House of the Inca | Temple of the Sun |
| Which circuit to choose? | Circuit 3 or 4 | Circuit 1, 2, 3 or 4 |
| Which ticket to choose? | Tickets ‘Machupicchu + Huaynapicchu’, ‘Machupicchu + Huchuypicchu’ o ‘Machupicchu + Mountain’ | All types of tickets |
| What is its function? | Royal residence of the Inca | Adoration of the sun |
| What are your visiting hours? | Every day from 6 am to 5 pm | Every day from 6 am to 5 pm |
| Are there any nearby buildings? | The Temple of the Sun | The Inca’s House, the Main Temple |
| What type of stone was used? | Granite stone | Granite stone |
| What is its dimension? | Housing with an average of 6 square meters | 10.5-meter semicircular structure |
| What is its state of conservation? | In good state of preservation | It suffered a fire during colonial times |
Questions and answers about the House of the Inca
Who built the House of the Inca?
The Inca’s House was built by orders of the emperor Pachacutec in approximately 1450. It was intended to be the royal residence of the emperor and his royal family during their sporadic visits to Machu Picchu.
What are the visiting hours of the Inca’s House?
The Inca’s House is available to tourists every day, including Sundays and holidays, from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Which Machu Picchu circuit should I choose to visit the Inca House?
The Inca House can only be visited with a ticket to Machu Picchu that includes circuits 3 or 4 through the archaeological site.
Which ticket should I buy to visit the Inca House?
The visit to this Inca construction is only available by choosing one of the tickets that include circuits 3 or 4: the ticket ‘Machupicchu + Huaynapicchu’, the ticket ‘Machupicchu + Huchuypicchu’ or the ticket ‘Machupicchu + Mountain’.
What Inca constructions are close to the Inca’s House?
The House of the Inca is below the famous Temple of the Sun of Machu Picchu. Both Inca sites can be visited together by choosing circuits 3 or 4.
How to access the Inca House from the gate of Machu Picchu?
From the entrance gate of Machu Picchu, you must access the gate that leads to circuits 3 or 4. At the bottom, you cross some very short stone steps to access the agricultural sector and the water sources. A marked path leads to the Temple of the Sun and, finally, to the Inca’s House.
With which Machu Picchu tour can I visit the Inca House?
The Inca House can be visited with one of the three available tours: Machupicchu + Huayna Picchu tour, Machupicchu + Huchuy Picchu tour, and Machupicchu + Mountain tour.
Is it dangerous to visit the Inca House in Machu Picchu?
No, the visit to the Inca House is completely safe. There is no danger at all. It is only recommended, in certain parts, to be careful of tripping on uneven stones.