An ancient site of archeological marvels built by the Incas more than 700 years ago, Machu Picchu is considered one of today’s new seven world wonders. Rediscovered in 1911 by an American archeologist, the “lost city” sits among the giant peaks in the Andes Mountains, more than 7,000 feet above sea level, and is believed to have been a royal or religious retreat for Inca rulers. The 100-acre city contains about 200 buildings—including a central plaza, a royal palace and tomb, and the Temple of the Sun, considered the most important structure—built mostly from granite blocks, shaped and smoothed to resist the test of time and earthquakes.