The Machu Picchu Temple of The Condor
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on January 27, 2021 by James Bustamante
The Machu Picchu Temple of The Condor is one of the most iconic temples located within the Inca city. The Inca took this natural formation that is part of the mountain and managed to condition this “living rock” to resemble the open wings of a giant Andean Condor.
Adding to the effect, there is also a large stone that the Inca must have carved in order to resemble the head of a condor.
The Temple of The Condor in Machu Picchu
The Andean Condor had a special place for the Incan civilization. It is a massive bird that demands respect, one of the most physically powerful birds of flight in actuality.
It makes sense that the Inca gave the condor a godly status. The condor that lives in the Andes is the biggest bird in South America, it reaches a height of 1.2 meters (4 feet) and a wingspan exceeding 3.4 meters (11 feet).
The Condor would symbolize among other things, fertility and power. The Incan civilization had a story where the great condor would gather the clouds to make it rain, thereby fertilizing the earth and helping to grow their crops.
Travelers notes: The Andean Condor is an important animal in the Inca religion. This giant bird represents part of the Inca trilogy in the form of “Hanan-Pacha” or the world where the gods live. The Condor was used to communicate with the human world known as “Kay-Pacha”
The Temple of the condor can be described as a large naturally occurring rock formation that displays a grounded Condor. The head and neck of the condor are carved on a stone altar at the feet of the Temple of the Condor.
Researchers believe the altar might have been used for offerings and sacrifices to the Inca gods. There is also evidence to suggest that the temple of the condor was used as a prison at one point.
During the original exploration of Machu Picchu, a mummy was actually found under the condor’s wings. It is also believed that some of the prisoners were destined to be sacrificed at the altar.
Find The Temple of The Condor in Machu Picchu
The temple of the condor is always a focal point during the guided Machu Picchu tour of the complex. This temple can be found in the “Hurin” neighborhood of Machu Picchu a few steps away from the main square of the city.
It’s not the sort of temple you can just walk past without noticing the massive rock formation of a condor. There is little chance you just won’t see it.
The Prisons of the Temple of the Condor
There are several theories as to what exactly the Temple of the Condor was used or. There are of course the typical reasons any ancient civilization has a temple in honor of one of their gods: offerings and sacrifices.
However, with this particular temple, it seems like there might be more to it. During the original expeditions to Machu Picchu, the adventurous discovered there were niches, big enough to fit a full-grown human.
They also managed to find a network of dungeons connecting to this temple. In fact, there seemed to be several prisons the Inca would use to hold prisoners. The stories suggest that these Inca prisoners would be shackled and placed in the dungeons in order to wait for their sentence.
This would take around 3 days in total. There were more sinister consequences though, the Inca though theft, laziness, and lust were crimes worthy of being put to death over.
The outcome would be for the prisoner to be sacrificed, in this case, at the altar of the temple of the Condor.
How to See The 3D Condor in the Temple of The Condor
Just like with many images that are in 3D it might take some concentration and moving at an angle to see the full image at the Temple of the Condor.
Yes, the rock formation is massive enough to see but it still takes some careful staring and imagination. To get a better appreciation of the condor, try to face the altar that makes up the bird’s face and the beak.
After you have a good grasp of the face and beak, carefully take 5-8 steps back. Carefully count each step as you walk backward, once you reach steps 5-8 the full image of the Temple of the Condor will be available to you.
Conclusion
The Machu Picchu Temple of the Condor was of massive significance for the Inca. It seems like it was more of a place to make sacrifices and offerings to the gods and not so much a place of worship.
The connecting dungeons and niches seem to make a case for the theory that places this location as a type of prison to a certain extent.
If you want to visit the temple of the Condor, Machu Picchu mirror, the temple of the three windows, or any of the other parts of this Incan complex. Contact us today for a fully customizable Machu Picchu travel package taking you from Lima to Machu Picchu.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Temple of The Condor
Where is the temple of the condor located?
You can find the temple of the condor near the Machu Picchu main square in the Hurin neighborhood of the Inca city.
Can you see a giant condor statue in the Temple of the Condor?
Yes. You can see the giant 3d image of a condor landing at the temple of the condor in Machu Picchu. You will have to focus and walk a few steps to fully see the complete image though
What was the Temple of the Condor in Machu Picchu used for?
There are a few theories about what the purpose of this temple was. Among them are as a place of worship to the Condor, a place to make offerings, sacrifices, and even a prison.
Why was the Condor important to the Inca?
The Inca saw the Condor and gave it godly status. They believed the Condor represented the world of the gods (Hanan-Pacha) and was their emissary to the world of humans (Kay-Pacha).
Is the Condor rock formation natural or man-made?
Both. The granite rock formation already had a natural image similar to the Andean condor and the Inca also worked on the shape as well as the altar.
Is the temple of the condor part of the Machu Picchu guided tour?
Yes, the guide will take you through the temple of the condor during a guided tour and explain in detail what the purposes of this location seem to have been.
