Which ancient city in Peru was built by the Inca in the 15th century?

Machu Picchu is the ancient Inca city built in Peru during the 15th century.

The site stands about 2,430 metres above sea level in the Andes, on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley. Archaeological evidence indicates that construction began during the reign of the Inca ruler Pachacuti, probably in the mid-15th century. Its buildings used finely fitted stonework without conventional mortar.

Machu Picchu may have served as a royal estate, religious centre, or retreat connected with the Inca elite. Its terraces helped stabilize steep slopes and supported agriculture, while channels and fountains supplied water. The exact purpose of every structure remains debated because the Incas left no written explanation of the site.

The outside world learned of the ruins through Hiram Bingham’s 1911 expedition, although local people already knew of them. Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and is one of Peru’s most recognizable archaeological landmarks.