The marvelous mud-brick city of Chan Chan
Peru | admin | July 7, 2010The Peruvian region of La Libertad is home to the largest and probably the most spectacular of all pre-Columbian cities in the South American region. This archaeological site is known as Chan Chan and is located some 5 kms away in the western direction from the major Peruvian town of Trujillo.
The site is spread over an area of 20 sq. kilometers. The year 1986 saw the site being recognized as a World Heritage site of UNESCO. The city of Chan Chan is the headquarters of the Kingdom of Chimor. The Kingdom is also more popularly referred to as Chimu Empire. The city represents the largest mud-brick settlement found in the Americas’
However, in the current day, the site is under constant threat not from some man made forces, but the natural forces of destruction. Yes, you’ve guessed it right, the Chan Chan faces dangers from the El Niño, wherein there is constant flooding and heavy rainfall on the nation’s coastline. The site lies on a well-watered and fertile section of the coastal plains.
It’s not just the El Nino effect that threatens the very existence of these masterpieces. Secondary dangers such as earthquakes and the odd greedy looters are also very much present in this part of the world. Moreover, the changes in weather patters in the current day have had an adverse affect on the health of this abode city.
It is estimated the entire complex was constructed in 1300 AD. The entire area is made of a huge 10,000 dwellings and this complex was of significant importance during the Chimu and Inca eras. Those were the days when the Chan Chan flourished.
In the present day, the complex is reduced to a series of crumbling walls and everyone who visits the place just keeps wondering what the place might have been before the Spaniards started looting the treasures of the land.
As regards to the architecture of the complex, the city is made of ten walled citadels. These citadels are home to burial chambers, reservoirs, residences, temples and ceremonial rooms, which are present even today. A unique feature of the city is its triangular shape and the site is surrounded by some huge walls, which may go up to 50-60 feet in height.
There are no enclosures, which open towards the north direction. The tallest walls of the complex provide the much needed protection against the strong south-westerly winds, which blow towards the complex from the nearby Peruvian coast.
The walls of the north see the maximum exposure to the sun and these walls serve dual purposes, they protect the city from the strong rays of sunlight and also provide shelter against the strong winds.
The walls of the city were constructed of abode brick and later covered with a smooth surface, after which difficult designs were carved. The designs on the walls can be classified into two categories. The first category includes the Realistic designs, which sees carvings of creatures such as small mammals, fish and birds. The other category sees a graphic and stylized representation of the same objects. These carvings see the depiction of turtles, crabs and the nets used for catching the various monsters of the sea.
Unlike the many other coastal ruins present in Peru, the city of Chan Chan is in very close proximity to the huge Pacific Ocean and as such the place is in urgent need for conservation efforts. The year 1998 saw efforts being initiated in this regard. The year marked the drawing of the master plan, which was initiated to conserve and manage the huge Archeological complex in a better manner. This plan, which was drawn by the Freedom National Culture Institute of Peru, also saw contribution from other major organizations of the country and the world. The list of organizations included World Heritage Foundation, GCI, ICCROM and WHR. As per the current day, there is good news as this plan has been has approved by the Peruvian government.
Hence, with the approval of this plan to conserve the ancient city, we can expect better days for the Chan Chan as the site has seen only crumbling walls in the recent past.
Let’s go through some of the questions which may be on your mind.
How do I reach Chan Chan?
The ancient mud-brick city of Chan Chan is in close proximity to the major Peruvian city of Trujillo. In fact the archeological site is just around 5 kms away from Trujillo. Hence you need to enter the nation via Trujillo’s Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International Airport, also popularly referred in Spanish as Aeropuerto Internacional Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos.
This airport is probably the largest in the northern region of the country and serves the major city of Trujillo. The airport hosts flights from the US as well as well as the major cities from around the world.
Once you have set foot on Trujillo’s territory, you can hire the services of a private cab to drop you to your destination. Alternatively, you can also be part of a guided tour to the city, where the price of the tour is all inclusive.
Where do I stay during my Chan Chan trip?
It is recommended you stay in the city of Trujillo, which offers some of the finest accommodation facilities in a number of budget categories. Some of the popular landmarks of the city are Libertador Plaza Hotel, Gran Hotel El Golf, Los Conquistadores Trujillo Peru hotel, Hostal Colonial, La Casa Suiza, Alexander Hotel, Caballito de Tora Hotel, El Brujo, El Golf Gran Hotel, Gran Hotel Bolivar, Huanchaco, Korianka Hotel and Los Conquistadores.
When is the best time of the year to visit Chan Chan?
You may visit the city and the nation of Peru as a whole at any time of the year. However, in a normal trend seen here, the months from June through August are very crowded with domestic as well as foreign tourists. These months coincide with the peak tourism season of the city and the hotel rates and other general rates also tend to peak. Hence, you should avoid the place during this period as you will only end up spending some huge bucks.
It is recommended you visit the place during the months of May through November as the temperatures are cool and ideal for a holiday. A feature during these months is the temperatures really drop during the nights and it is advised you carry at least a sweater as you will badly require one.
In conclusion, the ancient city of Chan Chan is a wonderful site to visit. The place is full of history conveyed to us via the spectacular carvings on the bricks of the area. I can only guarantee you, a history lover will have his or her work cut out as there is so much to explore in this ancient work of excellence.
Secondly, with the Peruvian government approving the plan to restore and maintain this old city, things are only expected to get better for all visitors, be it the local tourists or the foreigners. It is anticipated that the place will soon make world headlines and as such this event will only increase the popularity of the place. So, what are you waiting for, just go ahead and plan that all important trip to the lovely site of Chan Chan in the wonderful Peru.
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The ancient heritage of Chan Chan is being largely threatened by changes in climatic conditions. Due to heavy rains and strong winds, serious damage has been wrought on the historic structures..Conservation of these structures is imminent..