The building of the Three Gates is an Inca construction little located on the north side of Machu Picchu. It owes its name to the set of eighteen enclosures and three patios and three symmetrical portals that give it its name. It is speculated that they fulfilled the function of workshops, although they could also function as warehouses (colcas) or simple rooms. It can be visited with the ‘Machupicchu Only’ ticket. Learn more!

• What is the building of the Three Gates of Machu Picchu?
• Location
• How to get there?
• History of the Three Gates
• What is the entrance to Machu Picchu to visit the Three Gates?
• Visiting hours
• More information for your visit
• Questions and answers about the Three Gates in Machu Picchu

Machupicchu offers visits to famous constructions such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the 3 Windows or the Temple of Condor. The building of the Three Gates does not have the fame of these constructions. However, your visit shows the rustic style that the Incas used to build houses, colcas and workshops for the working class. Get to know him!

What is the building of the Three Gates of Machu Picchu?

• The building of the Three Gates of Machu Picchu are stone and adobe enclosures (rustic type) that would have served as craft workshops, warehouses (called colcas in the Quechua language) or simply rooms for the working class of the Inca city.
• The Three Gates have 18 enclosures, of which 16 are part of an octagonal square with a beautiful architectural organization. Two others are located outside this octagonal square.
• This set of Inca constructions are distributed around three other patios. The enclosures are rectangular with double jamb accesses and three walls.
• Research in Machu Picchu has divided these sectors into ‘High Group’ and ‘Set of Three Doors or Three Gates’.
• Despite their architectural beauty, they are rarely visited by tourists in Machu Picchu. It is in good condition.

Location

• The Three Gates building are located on the north side of the Machu Picchu archaeological site (a few steps from the gateway to the mountain Huayna Picchu).

How to get there?

To visit the building of the Three Gates, you must follow the following route from the entrance gate of Machu Picchu:

• From the entrance gate of Machu Picchu you must ascend to the sector of the Guardian’s House (a route of approximately 15 minutes).
• From the Guardian’s House sector you must descend to the urban sector. There you can visit constructions such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Square, the Temple of the 3 Windows or the Intihuatana (approximately 30-minute route).
• From the urban sector of Machu Picchu, you must continue with the return route that includes the visit of constructions such as the Sacred Rock. There is the group of the Three Gates (approximately 30-minute route).
• Finally, the return route to the exit gate of Machu Picchu must be made, visiting constructions such as: the Temple of the Condor, the Hall of Mirrors, the Water Fountains or the platform sector

History of the Three Gates

• The building of the Three Gates was built by order of Emperor Pachacutec in the mid-15th century along with the rest of the buildings of the Inca citadel.
• For its construction, the stone quarries that were located in Machu Picchu were used. The labor used came from the north side of Tahuantinsuyo, more than 2 thousand kilometers away.
• During the Vilcabamba Wars (from 1532 to 1572 AD) the population of Machu Picchu gradually abandoned the place.
• Little by little the thick vegetation covered Machu Picchu. Thus, for more than 400 years, the Inca city was forgotten until in 1911 the American explorer Hiram Bingham announced the world news of its discovery.

What is the entrance to Machu Picchu to visit the Three Gates?

The building of the Three Gates can be visited with the following tickets to Machu Picchu:

• Machupicchu Only Ticket – Allows you to make circuit 1, 2, 3, or 4.
• Machupicchu Ticket with Inca Bridge – Allows you to do circuit 1 or 2.
• Machupicchu ticket with Huayna Picchu – Allows you to perform circuit 4.
• Machupicchu ticket with Huchuypicchu – Allows you to perform circuit 4.

Visiting hours

• The Three Gates building can be visited every day of the year from 6 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.

More information for your visit

• The building of the Three Gates is one of the most spacious in Machu Picchu. It is ruled out that it has fulfilled a religious function. Most likely, it is a workshop for making ceramics, textiles, and more.
• It is best to visit the Three Gates building with a professional guide. If you do not visit Machu Picchu with a tour, you can get a guide at the entrance gate to the Inca citadel (approximately 8 dollars per tourist).
• During your visit to the building of the Three Gates do not miss the opportunity to see other famous constructions of Machu Picchu such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana or the Temple of the 3 Windows.

Questions and answers about the Three Gates in Machu Picchu

• 1. What was the function of the Three Gates building?

  The set of Three Gates fulfilled the function of a workshop in Machu Picchu (for the manufacture of ceramics and textiles). It is presumed that it also served as a warehouse (colca) or enclosure for the working class.

• 2. Where is the Three Gates building located?

  This Inca construction is located on the north side of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu.

• 3. With what ticket can I visit this Inca construction?

  You can visit the Three Gates building with the tickets: a) Machupicchu Only, b) Machupicchu with Huayna Picchu, c) Machupicchu with Huchuypicchu od) Machupicchu with Inca Bridge.

• 4. What is the history of the Three Gates building?

  This construction was ordered to be built by the Inca emperor Pachacutec in the mid-15th century. Then it was gradually abandoned in the Vilcabamba Wars (16th century). Today it is one of the tourist attractions of Machu Picchu.

• 5. What are the visiting hours of this Inca construction?

  The Three Gates building can be visited every day of the year from 6 am to 5 pm.

• 6 Can I enter the building of the Three Gates of Machu Picchu?

  Yes, access to this Inca construction is allowed for all tourists who visit the archaeological site.

• 7. How much does a visit to the Three Gates building cost?

  The ‘Machupicchu Only’ ticket is the most used to visit the Inca citadel and its buildings. This ticket costs 152 soles for adults, 77 soles for university students and 70 soles for minors 18 years old.

• 8. Which circuit of Machu Picchu allows you to visit the building of the Three Gates?

  You can visit this Inca construction by doing circuits 2 and 4 through Machu Picchu.

• 9. How to visit the Three Gates building with a professional guide?

  If you do not visit Machu Picchu with an all-inclusive tour, you can request the services of a professional guide at the entrance gate of Machupicchu (approximately 8 dollars per visitor).

• 10. What Inca constructions to visit in addition to the building of the Three Gates?

  During your visit to Machupicchu you can also see Inca constructions such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana or the Temple of the 3 Windows. Enjoy the wonder of the world!

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024