Chan Chan
About This Museum
What absolutely blows my mind about Chan Chan isn't just its age, but its sheer scale—it's the largest adobe city on Earth, a sprawling pre-Columbian metropolis built entirely from mud brick. Walking through the vast, sun-baked plazas and intricate ciudadelas, you're surrounded by walls covered in breathtakingly detailed bas-reliefs of fish, waves, and mythical creatures. The site museum is your essential key to unlocking it all, providing context for the thousands of artifacts recovered here. It’s a humbling place that truly makes you feel the weight of Chimú civilization.
Collection Highlights
You'll see an incredible array of ceramics, including the distinctive blackware pottery the Chimú were known for, along with delicate textiles and tools made from wood and bone. But for me, the real stars are the original carved friezes preserved indoors, showcasing those stunning geometric and zoomorphic patterns up close.
Visitor Information
Definitely start at the site museum to get your bearings before heading into the complex itself—the Trujillo sun is no joke, so bring water, a hat, and good walking shoes. It's an immersive experience where you're literally walking through ancient history.
Architecture & Building
The entire complex is a masterpiece of earthen architecture; think monumental adobe walls, labyrinthine passageways, and grand ceremonial plazals all constructed from rammed earth.
Contact & Location
Address: Chan Chan, Huanchaco, Trujillo, La Libertad, Perú
Website: Visit Website
