The photo shows the present-day ruins of machu picchu, an inca city that has been named a world heritage site by the united nations for its architectural splendor and its historical importance. this landscape photo shows the ruins of the inca city of machu picchu, high in the jagged mountains of peru. the city is built on a mountain slope, just underneath a sharp peak that overlooks the city as if guarding it. the stone ruins include streets, house walls, and remains of religious and royal buildings. © 2012 getty images what cultural information does the architecture of machu picchu provide? the inca conquered the native peoples of the mountains. inca rulers relied on forced labor to build grand cities. inca society revolved around religion and the emperor. the inca were organized to achieve complex projects.