In Peru, right on the Pacific coast, there is a huge clay city of Chan-Chan – the capital of the ancient Indian civilization Chimu (on the map). Its name can be literally translated as “sun-sun”. Chan Chan was built around 850 and reached its power in the second half of the 14th century. At that moment, more than 60 thousand people lived on its territory, and the lands controlled by the city stretched for hundreds of kilometers around. According to scientists, at this time Chan Chan was the largest metropolis in South America. It differed from neighboring cities in that it was entirely built of adobe. This is a building material that is obtained by mixing clay soil and straw. Largely thanks to this characteristic feature, in 1986 the city was included by UNESCO in the list of cultural heritage of humanity.
The layout of the clay city was traditional for that time. In the center of Chan-Chan there were temples, a palace complex and tombs of leaders. There were city blocks around, which were divided into 9 autonomous districts. Along the perimeter of the metropolis, 20-meter walls rose. They not only saved residents from the enemy, but also protected the city from the scorching sun, casting a wide shadow.
On the outskirts of Chan Chan there were industrial zones. Here craftsmen were engaged in wood carving, basket weaving, and making gold and silver jewelry. The southern outskirts of the city were used for agricultural purposes. Since there was always a shortage of water in desert conditions, residents built a prototype of a modern irrigation system: special water inlets were built for fields that needed frequent watering.
In addition to problems with irrigation, residents of Chan Chan regularly faced temperature changes. During the day the air became hot and at night it became cold. In order to somehow correct the situation, all buildings in the city were built with a special hole in the roof. Thanks to this technological feature, the room was ventilated, and the temperature remained stable at different times of the day.
Like many other cities of that time, Chan Chan was sacked several times. This first happened in 1471 after the settlement was captured by the Incas. An interesting point: they failed to conquer the city by military means. Using cunning, the conquerors built a dam and changed the flow of the river. Only the lack of water forced the inhabitants to surrender.
60 years after the defeat by the Incas, a new threat appeared – Spanish colonists led by Francisco Pizarro. They thoroughly destroyed Chan-Chan and took away everything they considered valuable from it. And after that, the city of Trujillo was founded nearby. Chan-Chan never recovered from such a blow. For the next few centuries, the former capital of the Indian civilization, Chima, was covered with sand. True, the interest in Chan-Chan on the part of adventurers did not become weaker. The Spaniards did not give up trying to find Indian gold in the ruins of the old city.
Despite the actions of the colonists and thanks to the dry climate, many clay structures have reached us in their original form. The best preserved urban area is Tschudi, named after the Swiss explorer Johann Jakob von Tschudi. From 1838 to 1843, this scientist and diplomat traveled around Peru, exploring the flora of the Andes.
True, recently global changes in the world climate have led to more and more precipitation falling in these places. This causes irreparable harm to the historical monument. In addition, the ancient city is threatened by groundwater, the level of which is rising every year. Therefore, you should hurry up to travel to Peru and see this amazing city with your own eyes.
Today Chan-Chan is an architectural complex that includes 4 archaeological sectors, a museum and two temples, and all zones are located at a sufficient distance from each other. The city is located 10 kilometers from Trujillo, whose airport receives daily flights from Lima, the capital of Peru. There are no direct flights between Russia and Peru, so tourists will have to make a transfer in a European country or the USA. You can get from Lima to Trujillo by bus, but you need to be prepared for a difficult journey in the heat, which will take at least 8 hours.
Entrance to the city is paid. The ticket price is 10 soles (200 rubles). You can explore Chan-Chan either independently or as part of an excursion group. The second option is preferable for those who do not like long walks under the scorching sun. The fact is that the attractions are located far from each other, and if you buy a tour for 15 soles (300 rubles),
you immediately resolve the issue of moving from one sector to another.
Now you can pay for an air ticket not immediately! Details on OneTwoTrip Credit.
Author: Roskin Mikhail
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