Chan Chan

Chan Chan was the capital of the Chimu kingdom (c. 900-1470 AD) and the largest adobe city in the Americas, covering approximately 20 square kilometers near modern Trujillo, Peru. The city contained ten walled citadels with massive adobe walls up to 10 meters high, adorned with intricate friezes depicting geometric patterns, marine motifs, fishes, birds, and waves reflecting the civilization's deep connection to the ocean. Each compound served distinct administrative, ceremonial, and storage functions, with the preserved Tschudi Palace displaying inner courtyards, water reservoirs, and burial chambers. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 and simultaneously placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, Chan Chan remains threatened by erosion and El Nino climate events.