 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
       |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VitcosLocation: Rediscover Machu Picchu > Peru & the Andes > Vitcos -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Last Capital of the Incas
The ruins of Vitcos are located in the Vilcabamba area where also the ruins of Vilcabamba are located. Sometimes Vitcos is confused with the city of Vilcabamba, which was the last capital of the Incas. The two are located in the Vilcabamba Valley, which might also create some confusion.
It is believed that Vilcabamba was left by the Incas due to its tropical climate (hard to bear) and then was Vitcos constructed. The ruler who had ordered the construction of Vitcos and Vilcabamba as well, was Manco Cápac II.
This area of the Vilcabamba was extremely dangerous to the Spaniards, who had only conquered this area after the death of famous leader, Francisco Pizarro. The Vilcabamba was a snake-infested tropical jungle area where the Incas had fought bravely against the much better-armed conquistadores. Eventually, after 40 years, the Europeans have overcome the indigenous forces.
Vitcos was reconstructed. The ruins seen today are partly rebuilt, meaning that they are not in their exact, original shape, but vividly reflect the way the city looked like.
Hiram Bingham III. is the discoverer of Vitcos. The ruins were discovered in 1911. After Vitcos, Hiram Bingham has "stumbled upon" Machu Picchu, which has captured his heart. He then left Vitcos in oblivion and went on conducting extensive research at Machu Picchu - his greatest discovery ever.
Vitcos can be visited by tourists today, however, it is a rather simple site with several buildings, some walls still remain intact, but there's nothing too impressive. Getting there is very hard, as the infrastructure is inadequate. If you are a "common tourist", better not venture yourself into this wild area where almost nobody goes except Peruvian workers, teams of explorers. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
