Machu Picchu para el mundo: Orchids in Machu Picchu-Architecture, Orchids and Nature

Macchu Picchu. Nature adorns Architecture

Machu Picchu (Old Mountain) is the contemporary name given to an ancient Andean Inca settlement built before the 15th century on the rocky promontory that links the Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains on the eastern slopes of the Central Mountain Range to the south Of Peru and to 2490 msnm, altitude of its main place. His original name would have been Llaqtapata.

Some historical sources relate that Machu Picchu would have been rest residence of Pachacutec, but the construction style ceremonial character of the main access road, suggest an earlier origin and use as a religious shrine.

No matter the use or who built it, Machu Picchu is considered a masterpiece of architecture and engineering. It is currently one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. It has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1983, as part of an entire cultural and ecological complex known as the historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. On July 7, 2007 Machu Picchu was declared one of the new seven wonders of the world (Lisbon)

Mach Picchu is a place with a monumental architectural work, admirable and unforgettable, a mystery that attracts Peruvians and visitors from all over the world; But also has a varied fauna and flora. Orchids are an example of the flora that we are passionate about.

Orchids show more than 30,000 species in the world; they exist for 60 million years, the forests of South America and Malaysia have the greatest diversity; but adapted to the most diverse habitats, can be found all over the world (except Antarctica and the most arid deserts). The smallest orchids are only a few millimeters and are only visible with magnifying glasses. There are enormous bouquets with dozens of orchids (Sobralia dichotoma), with a height of up to 4 m, which grow in the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu is home to some of the most exuberant flora in South America. In the case of exotic and colorful orchids, there are more than 80 genera and 400 species registered scientifically. They are in a natural state, or protected in nurseries and gardens with careful maintenance. A hotel, Inkaterra, has in its gardens 372 species, which represents for lovers of this beautiful flower an opportunity to find in a small space a lot of orchids.

You can find the orchid Wakanki, Masdevalia veitchiana, associated with a forbidden love story, tiny orchids invisible to the naked eye, or the longest orchid in the world, Pragmipedium caudatum, whose inflorescence measures from 30 to 60 cm with 2 to 4 flowers Showy, finely hairy, of variable color but generally yellow-green, stained with coffee or purple.

Photos: Wakanki, Phragmipedium

New species are continuously discovered. The last three are Epidendrum Ochoae, Epidendrum Incahuamanii, and Epidendrum Mormontoyi, dedicated to characters related to research or conservation in the sanctuary.

The orchids have always allowed to enjoy its beauty and its mystery to the inhabitants of the zone. The chronicler Guamán Poma de Ayala shows a ñusta or Inca princess with an orchid in her hand.