The Intihuatana of Machu Picchu
The Intihuatana is one of the most famous and important constructions of Machu Picchu. Its name means ‘where the sun is tied or tied’. Its function was that of a sundial that predicted the sowing and harvest seasons in the Inca city. It is a large rock formation, carved by the Incas to receive and project the sunlight. It is believed that when the tourist brings his hand close to this mysterious building, he is filled with the energy of the sun. Learn more!
Content
- The Intihuatana, Machu Picchu’s sundial
- The visit of the Intihuatana in the sacred sector
- The history of the Intihuatana
- Visiting hours of the Intihuatana
- Other temples and important constructions in Machu Picchu
- How much does it cost to visit the Intihuatana?
- The Intihuatana and the Temple of the Sun: similarities and differences
- Questions and answers about the Intihuatana
The Intihuatana, Machu Picchu’s sundial
The Intihuatana is one of the most famous stone constructions in Machu Picchu. It is located in the religious sector of Machu Picchu, in the highest part of the Main Plaza.
Its name is a Quechua word that means ‘where the sun is tied or tied’. It is that the structure was made to receive the rays of the sun, which was called ‘Inti’ and was the main divinity of the Incas.
The Intihuatana was an astronomical observer where the Incas performed religious ceremonies. There, they could also predict, according to the position of the sun on the stone, the correct time for planting and harvesting.
The Intihuatana is two meters in diameter and one meter high. It has a polygonal shape, on three levels: a base, a middle platform, and a rectangular peak that casts shadows when the sun’s rays fall on its foundations. This upper cylinder marks, on its four sides, the four cardinal points: east, west, north, and south.
Such is the popularity of the Intihuatana that, after many years of visits, a belief was formed that indicates that, by bringing his hands close, the tourist is filled with the energy of the sun.
The Intihuatana has some visiting rules. It is forbidden to touch its stone formations. The visiting hours are every day from 7:00 am to 10:00 am.
The Intihuatana is one of the most photographed Inca constructions of Machu Picchu. It has a great history, fame, and importance, which makes it one of the temples that visitors should know during their visit.
The visit of the Intihuatana in the sacred sector
The Intihuatana is located in the sacred sector of Machu Picchu, specifically at the top of the main temple (at an altitude of 3,126 meters above sea level).
The visit to Intihuatana is only possible by choosing ‘circuit 2’. This circuit can be chosen by purchasing two types of tickets: a) Machupicchu Solo ticket and b) Machupicchu + Inca Bridge ticket.
Also, this Inca building can only be visited from 7:00 am to 10:00 am. The access is suitable for visitors of all ages.
During ‘circuit 2’, the route includes the visit of important Inca constructions, such as the sector of the House of the Guardian, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the 3 Windows, and the Main Temple. From this construction a path of stairs is taken that, in 5 minutes, leads the visitor to the Intihuatana.
After the visit to the Intihuatana, the tourist must continue with ‘Circuit 2’, which includes the visit to the Sacred Rock, the Water Mirrors, the water sources, and the agricultural sector. In total, this circuit takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The history of the Intihuatana
The Incas worshipped the sun as their supreme god. The Incas, in the Quechua language, called it ‘Inti’. To worship the sun, the Incas built temples and astronomical shrines such as the Intihuatana. The two most famous Intihuatanas are located in Pisac and Machu Picchu.
In Machu Picchu, the Intihuatana was built by order of Emperor Pachacutec (1349 A.D. – 1408 A.D.) in approximately 1450. For its construction, the granite stone bench that already existed in the place was used. For its construction, the labor of hundreds of people (times) from the conquered kingdoms of the north of the empire (such as the Chachapoyas, the Chimus, and the Cañaris) was needed.
In Machu Picchu, the Intihuatana served as a sun worship center. There the Incas, in charge of a priest, predicted the sowing and harvest seasons. In addition, sun worship ceremonies were held there.
In the year 2000, the Intihuatana was damaged in a collision with a crane during the filming of a beer commercial in Machu Picchu. This event led to the regulation of visits and audiovisual productions in the Inca citadel.
In addition, as part of the protection of the Intihuatana, a daily visiting schedule of only 3 hours was established, from 7:00 am to 10:00 am.
Today the Intihuatana is the most emblematic and popular construction in Machu Picchu.
Visiting hours of the Intihuatana
The Intihuatana can only be visited through the ‘Circuit 2’ of Machu Picchu. This circuit can be done through the tickets ‘Machupicchu Solo’ and ‘Machupicchu + Inca Bridge’.
Visiting hours are every day from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Other temples and important constructions in Machu Picchu
These are other of the most important temples and constructions in Machu Picchu:
- The Temple of the Sun – This temple was the main worship of the sun. It is the only Inca construction with a semicircular shape. It has a diameter of 10.5 meters. It has windows through which the sun’s rays fall, as well as niches for worship. It suffered a fire in colonial times.
- The Main Temple – This temple, as its name indicates, was the most important point of meetings and ceremonies in Machu Picchu. 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.
- The Sacred Rock – In the northern sector of Machu Picchu is this rock formation carved in the shape of a mountain. It was an Inca shrine where ceremonies to the ‘apus’ were held. It has a diameter of 3 meters high and a base of 7 meters. As well as the Intihuatana, it is believed that when approaching the hand, the visitor is filled with energy from the mountains.
How much does it cost to visit the Intihuatana?
This tourist attraction can be visited on your own by acquiring two types of tickets: a) Machupicchu Solo ticket and b) Machupicchu + Inca Bridge ticket. Either of these two tickets allows you to do ‘circuit 2’, which includes the visit to the Intihuatana from 7 am to 10 am.
Another option is to choose an all-inclusive tour, such as the ‘Machupicchu Full Day Tour’. The Intihuatana cannot be visited with tours that include the mountains, such as the ‘Machupicchu + Huaynapicchu Tour’ or the ‘Machupicchu + Mountain Tour’.
In any of the cases, discounts are offered for tourists under 18 years of age (children under 3 years of age enter free of charge), university students under 25 years of age with a valid university card, as well as citizens of the Andean Community of Nations: Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador or Colombia.
The Intihuatana and the Temple of the Sun: similarities and differences
Learn about the differences and similarities between the two most famous temples in Machupicchu: the Intihuatana and the Temple of the Sun:
| The Intihuatana | The Temple of the Sun | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | In the upper sacred sector | In the lower sacred sector |
| Height | 3,126 masl | 3,096 masl |
| Name | Means ‘where the sun is tied or tied’ | Temple of the Sun |
| Ticket of your choice | Machupicchu Only’ and ‘Machupicchu + Inca Bridge’ | All types of tickets |
| Function | Astronomical calendar and sun worship | Adoration of the sun |
| Visiting hours | Every day from 7 am to 10 am | Every day from 6 am to 5 pm |
| Restrictions | It is forbidden to touch the Intihuatana | It is not possible to enter inside the Temple of the Sun, only from a distance |
| Type of stone | Granite | Granite |
| Dimension | Two meters in diameter and 1 meter high | 10.5-meter semicircular structure |
| Curious fact | Part of its structure was damaged in 2000 during the filming of a beer commercial | It suffered a fire during colonial times |
Questions and answers about the Intihuatana
What are the visiting hours of the Intihuatana?
The Intihuatana of Machu Picchu can be visited every day from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Can I touch the Intihuatana?
It is believed that by touching the Intihuatana, the visitor can be filled with the energy of the sun. However, it is not allowed to touch its stone structure.
How to get to the Intihuatana from the gate of Machu Picchu?
From the entrance gate of Machu Picchu, you must ascend to the sector of the Guardian’s House. Then descend to the sacred sector, visiting the Temple of the Sun and the Main Temple. Finally, from 7 am to 10 am, you will go up the stairs to reach the Intihuatana.
What ticket should I buy to visit the Intihuatana?
To visit the Intihuatana you must choose two types of tickets: a) the Machupicchu Solo ticket and the Machupicchu + Inca Bridge ticket.
Was the Intihuatana damaged?
Yes, in the year 2000, the Intihuatana was damaged due to a collision with a crane during the filming of a beer commercial in Machu Picchu.
What does the name Intihuatana mean?
The Intihuatana is a Quechua word that means: ‘where the sun is tied or tied’.
With which tour can you visit the Intihuatana of Machu Picchu?
The Intihuatana is an Inca construction that can be visited on the ‘Machupicchu 1 day’ tour. You only have to choose circuit 2, the most recommended. The visit should be done from 7 am to 10 am.
How high is the Intihuatana?
The Intihuatana of Machu Picchu is located 3,126 meters above sea level.