The sacred fountains of Machu Picchu are one of the least valued but very important works in the citadel. They are the water channels that supplied water to the enclosures, such as the House of the Inca or the Temple of the Sun. They are of vital importance because the archaeological site is located in a tropical geography with heavy and constant rains, especially in January, February and March. Without the water fountains, the Inca city would have collapsed many years ago. Even today, after more than five hundred years, the fountains continue to fulfill their function. Learn more!

• What are the water sources of Machu Picchu?
• Location
• How were the water fountains of Machu Picchu built?
• Machu Picchu water sources: characteristics and function
• More information about the sacred springs of Machu Picchu
• How to visit the sacred springs of Machu Picchu? Ticket and schedules
• Questions and answers about the sacred springs of Machu Picchu

One of the water sources of Machu Picchu

Water and its importance in Machu Picchu
The water fountains of Machu Picchu are one of the most amazing works of hydraulic engineering in Cusco. They were built around 1450 AD and had the function of supplying fresh, clean water to all the people who lived in the Inca city. In addition, water fulfilled a ceremonial function in sacred enclosures such as the House of the Inca or the Temple of the Sun. For the Incas, water was an element of purification of the spirit. That is why the priests performed rituals in the sacred fountains. Today, the sacred fountains continue to transfer water, allowing the archaeological site to survive, a place considered a Wonder of the World.

What are the water sources of Machu Picchu?

• The water sources of Machu Picchu are canals that receive water from the high mountains, from the constant rains, and distribute it throughout the Inca city for three functions: to allow the subsistence of around a thousand people, to allow the irrigation of dozens of agricultural terraces and to carry out religious purification ceremonies led by priests.
• There are many water sources in Machu Picchu. The most important, and the best carved, are the so-called ‘stairs of the fountains’, located in the religious sector. These provided water for the House of the Inca and the surroundings of the Temple of the Sun, two of the most important buildings.

Water fountain under the stone steps at Machu Picchu

Location

• The Sacred Springs of Machu Picchu are located in the religious sector of the Inca city, as well as in the temples in the lower part.
• The most important fountains, the best carved, are located between two of the most important buildings in the sacred city of Machu Picchu: the Temple of the Sun and the Royal Palace.

How were the water fountains of Machu Picchu built?

• The first challenge faced by the Incas was how to transport water from springs located almost a kilometer away to the first source.
• For this purpose, the Inca engineers built a permeable wall almost 15 meters long, which retained the water that was then filtered into a stone channel.
• This same channel collects water from a second, somewhat smaller source; the water flows to the Inca citadel through a channel five inches wide by five inches deep.
• Water engineer Ken Wright says his calculations showed the system could move more than 300 litres of water per minute – twice as much as typical flood-preventing channels could.

Machu Picchu water sources: characteristics and function

• Each of these sources has enough water flow to provide water to the entire population of Machu Picchu.
• One of the canal lines runs under the outer city wall (through the agricultural area), and the other runs along a wall to the residential area, where the water flows through 16 fountains.
• Each of these fountains is designed to form a jet of water, ideal for filling an aryballos (clay jar used by the Incas).
• All the fountains are connected by channels that cover a distance of almost 60 metres (in a cascade), with a difference in level of more than 20 metres.
• The first fountain is very close to the residence of Emperor Pachacútec, which must have allowed him to be the first to have access to water.
• All the fountains (including the first one) could be used by anyone in the town, except for the last one, since it is located inside the Temple of the Condor.
• The fountains were a controlled supply of water, a public service, built in such a way as to protect the stepped architecture from erosion.
• Hydraulic engineer Charles Ortloff says: “There is nothing like this in any other ancient urban environment, or in other Inca settlements.”

Water fountain in Machu Picchu still working

More information about the sacred springs of Machu Picchu

• The names of the water fountains – Throughout its history, this amazing Inca construction has received many names. This is due to the numerous archaeological and anthropological studies carried out in Machu Picchu, which have been naming each of the structures and elements of the Inca City. The water fountains are also called the ‘staircase of fountains’. It is also known as: “the street of fountains” , “staircase of fountains” or generally called “liturgical fountains” .
• The sacred character of water in Machu Picchu – These are some of the names given to this group of water reserves or fountains (Paqchas), made up of 16 fountains; which were considered sacred, due to the spiritual and divine character that the Incas attributed to natural elements. Water was one of the most important deities for the Inca culture, since it was recognized by them as the giver of life. It is for this reason that the city had a multitude of fountains and ponds, in which this deity could be worshipped.
• Where does the water in the fountains come from? – These fountains take water from many underground springs, located inside the labyrinth of mountains surrounding Machu Picchu, as well as from the seepage of rainwater; generating one of the most precious natural resources not only in the Inca Civilization, but also today. This amazing hydraulic system was essential for the existence of the Inca Empire.
• Where does the water from the fountains go? – The water from the fountains flows into the multiple channels that run through the sloping terrain of the Inca City ; as well as the cultivation terraces, these flat surfaces facilitated the construction of fountains and reservoirs intended both for human consumption as an essential element of life, and for the worship of this Inca deity (Water).
• Ceremonial nature of the Machu Picchu fountains – The set of fountains is built taking advantage of the slopes of the Machu Picchu mountain. The place is called “the staircase of the liturgical fountains” and is made up of 16 fountains or pools of water, built with very fine masonry work and rock carving, forming a complex hydraulic system, generally known as an aqueduct. The construction also shows numerous polygonal carvings in solid rock; which must have had a religious meaning for the Inca culture.
• The Wayranas – There is a main fountain, located in front of one of the predominant buildings in Machu Picchu, known as Wayrana; scholars have concluded that this fountain was used for spiritual purposes, in the practice of sacred ceremonies and rituals in which the Inca people worshipped water.

How to visit the sacred springs of Machu Picchu? Ticket and schedules

You can visit the sacred springs of Machu Picchu through circuit 3 of Machu Picchu. This ticket is included in up to four types of tickets:

• Machu Picchu Lower Temples Ticket – The ticket allows you to do circuit 3 only, including a visit to the Sacred Fountains in the House of the Inca and the lower terraces.

• Machu Picchu Ticket with Huayna Picchu – The ticket allows you to do circuit 3, as well as the hiking route to the Huayna Picchu mountain. This hike is available all year round but only for tourists over 18 years old.

• Machu Picchu Ticket with Huchuy Picchu – The ticket allows you to do circuit 3, as well as the hiking route to the small mountain Huchuy Picchu. The hike is available from June 1 to October 15 but only for visitors over 18 years old.

• Machu Picchu Ticket with Temple of the Moon – The ticket allows you to do circuit 3, as well as the hiking route to the Temple of the Moon, also known as the Great Cavern. The hike is available from June 1 to October 15 but only for visitors over 18 years old.

Questions and answers about the sacred springs of Machu Picchu

• 1) What are the sacred springs of Machu Picchu?

  The sacred fountains of Machu Picchu are platforms of waterfalls that transported this element for the subsistence of the city.

• 2) Where are the sacred springs of Machu Picchu located?

  They are located in the upper, middle and lower parts of Machu Picchu. The sacred fountains, the most important, are in the sacred sector of the archaeological site.

• 3) What was the function of the sacred springs of Machu Picchu?

  They served to provide subsistence for the population of Machu Picchu, to irrigate agricultural terraces and to carry out religious ceremonies to purify the spirit.

• 4) What was the importance of water in Machu Picchu?

  Water was a fundamental element for subsistence. In addition, water was considered a sacred element due to its purifying nature of the spirit.

• 5) Are the water sources at Machu Picchu still in use?

  Yes, the fountains continue to function as drainage for the large amount of water in Machu Picchu, caused by the rains.

• 6) With which ticket can I visit the water fountains at Machu Picchu?

  This Inca construction can be visited through circuit 3 included in four tickets: a) Machu Picchu entrance to the lower Temples, b) Machu Picchu entrance with Huayna Picchu, c) Machu Picchu entrance with Huchuy Picchu and d) Machu Picchu entrance with the Temple of the Moon.

• 7) In which building can I see the sacred fountains of Machu Picchu?

  The most important sacred fountains can be seen in the Casa del Inca in Machu Picchu.

• 8) What are the visiting hours of the sacred springs of Machu Picchu?

  The sacred springs can be visited during regular Machu Picchu hours: from 6 am to 5 pm.

• 9) How much does the ticket to visit the sacred springs of Machu Picchu cost?

  The Machu Picchu Lower Temples ticket (circuit 3) costs 152 soles for foreign adults.

• 10) Can I touch the sacred springs of Machu Picchu?

  It is not permitted to touch the sacred springs of Machu Picchu. It is only permitted to take photographs and appreciate it from a safe distance.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Ernesto J.

“Pure history in Machu Picchu“

“I was lucky enough to take the tour of Machu Picchu with a guide who told me many details, not only about Machu Picchu but also about the history of the Incas. As I walked through the main temples, every word made sense. It was a unique experience.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, December 24, 2024