What was the most famous city of the Inca Empire?

Machu Picchu is renowned as the most famous city of the Inca Empire due to its remarkable archaeological significance and stunning location high in the Andes mountains. It represents the sophistication of Inca architecture and urban planning, serving as a royal estate for Inca rulers and possibly a religious site. The site was rediscovered in the early 20th century, which led to its international recognition and status as a symbol of Inca civilization. Its breathtaking ruins, including terraced agriculture and precisely constructed stone structures, have captured the imagination of visitors from around the world, contributing to its fame.

While Cusco served as the capital and was a significant cultural and political center for the Incas, it does not have the same mysterious allure and picturesque setting that Machu Picchu offers. Lake Titicaca, although historically and culturally significant, is a body of water and not a city. Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun in Cusco, is indeed an important religious site but lacks the iconic status and recognition that Machu Picchu commands.