Pictured: Fireworks and light show celebrate the 100th anniversary of the wonder Inca city of Machu Picchu
Last updated at 2:03 PM on 8th July 2011
With fireworks exploding In the sky and a breathtaking light show, the Inca city of Machu Picchu is lit up for all the world to see.
Peruvians celebrated the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the archaeological site to the music of a symphony orchestra playing to guests 2,350 metres above sea level.
The 15th-century citadel of carved stone structures - built on the Andean mountain range in south-eastern Peru - was officially recognised as a wonder of the world in 2007.
Red light city: The light show reveals the Peruvian Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cusco
Multi-coloured: The ruins of Machu Picchu during a light and sound show marking the centennial celebration
Blue moment: The 'lost city' was elected as one of the wonders of the world four years ago
It was discovered on July 25, 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham, who inspired Hollywood's Indiana Jones' whip-cracking character.
The multi-coloured light show put on by Peruvian theatre director Luis Llosa, was the first time Machu Picchu had been lit up at night.
There was music from Cuzco's symphony orchestra playing Antonin Dvorak's 'New World Symphony' with Andean dancing, concerts, historical processions, and mystic rituals planned over the next days and weeks.
And the hallowed city will also be printed on 10-sol bills (£2.20) to mark the site's centennial celebrations.
Star burst: Tourists watch fireworks explode as the celebrations get under way at the main square in Cuzco
Musical high: The Symphonic Orchestra of Cusco performs at 2,350 metres during the night-time celebrations
Sweet vision: Tourists look at a replica of the Inca citadel Machu Picchu made of Peruvian cocoa during a chocolate convention in Lima
The ruins in the Urubamba valley, 510 kilometres south of Lima, have 250,000 visitors a year, but at the request of UNESCO, last night's celebration was limited to 700 guests.
United Nations conservationists feared overcrowding at the hallowed ancient citadel and wanted to highlight the importance of environmental efforts.
The event also coincides with the four-year anniversary of the site being voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a global Internet poll.
Dancing in the streets: Wearing masks and colourful costumes, Peruvians perform in the town of Cusco
Ritual: The Inca ceremony Tinkay is performed during the centennial celebrations of the city's discovery
VIP guest: Peruvian President Alan Garcia joins invited dignitaries and tourists on the climb up the mountain
Star attraction: Hollywood actor Jim Carrey gets a snapshot of the 'lost city' of Machu Picchu during his visit
Celebrity guide: Jim Carrey leads visitors around the ruins of Machu Picchu
Bingham, head of a well-equipped scientific expedition, shared his findings about this 'lost city of the Incas' in the National Geographic journal.
But Peruvian specialists accuse him looting their country of its riches, and note that others had found the site before.
During his three expeditions, Bingham carried away 44,000 pieces for Yale University, 366 of which were returned to Peru in March.
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dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2012524/Machu-Picchu-pictured-Fireworks-celebrate-100th-anniversary-Inca-city.html#ixzz1RWfiZxIb
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