The guardian’s house
The guardian’s house is one of the most visited points of Machu Picchu because from there you get the classic postcard photo with the Inca city in the background. It is located in the upper part of the agricultural sector from where you can monitor the entire archaeological site. It is precisely believed that this was its function: that of a guard post.
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Guard post
The guardian’s house is a simple enclosure, made of small stone and adobe. It is the only construction of the citadel whose roofing made of beams and ichu (wild grass from the Andes) remains to this day. Inside there are three squared windows that offer a complete view of Machu Picchu, its access and exit points. It is because of this location that the Guardian’s House is believed to have served as a lookout post.
The funerary rock
A few steps behind the Guardian’s House there is a capriciously carved stone monolith in the shape of a square with a small access of stairs formed in the same rock. Its function has two hypotheses: it was a space where mummies of important personalities were embalmed or it was a center of worship to the sun whose rays settle there during the winter solstices.
The classic photo of Machu Picchu
The House of the Guardian is perhaps the most visited Inca site in all of Machu Picchu. The reason is that from there it is possible to get the classic postcard photo of the Inca city.
In the mornings tourists tend to crowd to get the postcard photo of Machu Picchu. In the afternoons, on the other hand, there are not many tourists who visit the citadel and the Guardian’s House. From the top of Intipunku, the Huayna Picchu mountain and the Machu Picchu mountain you can also get spectacular photos.
How to get there?
Getting to the Guardian’s House is easy. From the entrance gate to Machu Picchu you must follow the signs uphill for about 500 meters on average. This walk can take 15 minutes or more. Once there, the tour of the Inca citadel begins.
More information about the guardian’s house
The Guardian’s House is built in a rustic manner, yet it has stood the test of time well. It is also recommended not to touch its walls or lean on them. In the place there is always a guard who guards that no tourist damages this structure.
The security personnel that guards the Guardian’s House can request the tourist to continue with the tour of Machu Picchu if he spends too much time there. It is recommended to allocate 15 minutes on average to take the necessary photos of Machupicchu in this place.
In the vicinity of the Guardian’s House there are flames grazing the green lawn of Machu Picchu. Tourists can photograph themselves with the animal although they are not allowed to disturb them.
Although from the House of the guardian it is possible to get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu; this largely depends on the state of the weather. When Machupicchu dawns with dense fogs it is impossible to get these photographs. The mornings of January, February and March are when there is more fog in the place.