Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is the quintessential lost city. This old Inca city, set picturesquely on the top of a mountain, was only inhabited for a short period of time, before the Spanish raids brought an abrupt end to the civilization. The raids never found the city though, and the locals never revealed its location, and the abandoned city had to wait till the 20th century to be discovered again, and it is not yet certain whether Machu Pichu was used as a retreat, a full fledged city, or simply a sanctuary of some sort. The city is easy to reach in modern times, although this has brought a large influx of tourists and has prompted some to wonder whether such large numbers are sustainable.
