Machu Picchu, located high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, is a breathtaking ancient city built by the Inca Empire in the 15th century. Believed to have been a royal estate or a sacred religious site, it remained hidden from the outside world until its rediscovery in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham. Surrounded by lush green mountains and often cloaked in mist, its intricate stonework and terraces are a testament to the ingenuity of the Inca civilization. Today, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, attracting millions of visitors annually.