-A refuge for the Virgins of the Sun
-A religious site
-It was built for Emperor Pachacuti
Other theories I didn't mention were:
-A place to prepare for war/military
-Ceremonial site
-Royal estate
I could go on and on if able to but really, I can't really add my own opinion on Machu Picchu because I don't think there will ever be a conclusion to finding the real reason Machu Picchu was built. I believe it'll just remain a mystery forever. The Incas didn't leave any paper trails or clues as to why they built it so anyone could just look at the evidence aka artifacts and such found on site and looking at the site itself and come up with their own theories. Who knows, maybe someone's theory is accurate but no one agrees. Or maybe all the theories are wrong or way off?
Too many theories to look at that I just think they may throw people off and change their perception when they themselves check out this spectacular world wonder. My friend and I chose not to do any tours because 1)we were last minute in our plans and 2)we really wanted to experience Machu Picchu ourselves and not have to listen to a tour guide talk the whole time. We for sure wouldn't have seen or done as much if we had gone the tour route, which I prefer not to do.
Anyway, we walked by many tour groups as we were wandering around this true beauty and overheard many things from each tour guide. Both helpful and unhelpful points were given. Helpful if we were unsure about something/curious about a certain area, in which we could overhear a guide explaining it to his/her group and would make sense to us and help us understand its purpose. Unhelpful when you overhear every tour guide telling their group all the opinions/theories there are out there and then continuing with what they think is the accurate theory that explains why Machu Picchu was built. I heard every opinion from every tour guide and they were all different. No one was the same. How could you even come close to understanding Machu Picchu when you hear a completely different story from the people you may come across on your day there?
I decided to not think about any of the theories we heard until after we left Machu Picchu. And Nora completely agreed with me. Just thinking of all these theories would have made me try to 'uncover what really happened in Machu Picchu/why it was built' instead of appreciating what my eyes were seeing, taking the time to understand the Incas hard work, and precision/brains when it came to building on this land.
I wouldn't change a thing of how I made my way to Machu Picchu. I already have it in my head to return for another two day adventure there!:) I may not agree with using a tour guide BUT I really want to hike the trail next time, so I will have to suck it up and go on one because that's the only way you'll be able to trek to this land of the Incas. Then I'd probably go back again --bus this time!-- and really take my time there. Can't explain it but just by being there, it makes you think about life more and how to really appreciate it and to slow down.
