In Peru, right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean is the huge clay city of Chan Chan-the capital of the ancient Indian civilization Chim (on the map). Its name can literally be translated as “sun-sun.” Chan-chan was erected around 850 and reached his power by the second half of the XIV century. At that moment, more than 60 thousand people lived on its territory, and the lands controlled by the city were spread hundreds of kilometers around the city. According to scientists, at that time Chan Chan was the largest metropolis of South America. He differed from neighboring cities in that he was completely built from Saman. This is such a building material that is obtained by mixing clay soil and straw. Largely due to this characteristic feature in 1986, the city was included in UNESCO in the list of cultural heritage of mankind.
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The layout of the clay city was traditional for that time. In the center of Chan-chan were temples, the palace complex and the tomb of the leaders. Around there were city quarters, which were divided into 9 autonomous regions. 20 meter walls towered along the perimeter of the metropolis. They not only saved the inhabitants from the enemy, but also protected the city from the scorching sun, discarding a wide shadow.
On the outskirts of Chan Chan there were industrial zones. Here, masters were engaged in wood carvings, weaving baskets, as well as the manufacture of gold and silver jewelry. The southern outskirts of the city was used for agricultural needs. Since there was not enough water in the desert area all the time, the residents built a prototype of the modern irrigation system (irrigation): special watering carts were built to the fields that needed frequent watering.
In addition to the problems with irrigation, the residents of Chan Chan regularly encountered a temperature difference. In the afternoon, air was heated, and at night it became cold. In order to somehow rectify 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 plundered several times. This first happened in 1471 after the settlement was captured by the Incas. A curious moment: they failed to conquer the city by military way. Having resorted to cunning, the conquerors built a dam and changed the flow of the river. Only a lack of water forced the inhabitants to surrender.
60 years after the defeat from the Inca, a new threat appeared – Spanish colonists led by Francisco Pisarro. They thoroughly destroyed Chan Chan and took out of it everything that they considered valuable. And after that, the city of Trujillo was founded nearby. Chan-chan not recovered from such a blow. The next few centuries, the former capital of the Indian civilization, Jima was added with sand. True, interest in Chan-chan from the adventure seekers did not become weaker. The Spaniards did not give up attempts to find the gold of the Indians in the ruins of the old city.
Contrary to the actions of the colonists and thanks to the dry climate, many clay structures reached us in its original form. The urban area of Chudi, named after the Swiss researcher Johann Jacob von Chudi, is best preserved. From 1838 to 1843, this scientist and diplomat traveled along Peru, exploring the plant world of And.
True, the global changes in the world climate have recently led to the fact that in these places there are more and more precipitation. This causes irreparable harm to the historical monument. In addition, soil waters threaten the ancient city, the level of which increases every year. Therefore, you should hurry to make a trip 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 Trukhillo, whose airport is accepting flights from Lima, the capital of Peru daily. There is no direct air traffic between Russia and Peru, so tourists will have a transplant in a European country or the United States. You can get from Lima to Trukhillo by bus, but you need to be prepared for a difficult journey through the heat, which will take at least 8 hours.
Entrance to the city is paid. The ticket price is 10 salts (200 rubles). You can inspect Chang-chan both independently and 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 sights are removed from each other, and having bought a tour for 15 salts (300 rubles),
You immediately solve the issue with moving from one sector to another.
Now you can not pay for the air ticket right away! Details on Onetwotrip Credit.
Author: Roskin Mikhail
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