Chan Chan, word coming from the Muchik "Jang-Jang" which means "sun-sun", is the largest mud-brick citadel dating back to the pre-Hispanic era. It was built by the Chimú in Peru's north coast.

Chan Chan faces the sea in the Moche Valley, between Huancacho and Trujillo in the Region La Libertad and it was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

Supposedly, it owes its name to the intense sun exposure the city had to bear. Its current name resulted from translations made by Spanish writers.

The archaeological site spans an area of about twenty square kilometers being the world's largest mud-brick citadel.

The Tschudi Palace reflects the special importance given to water, especially sea water and the deep devotion shown in the Chimú culture.

The carved reliefs in the walls represent fishes, looking north and south, probably because of the two currents that flow along the Peruvian coast.

One is the Humboldt, a cold current that comes from the south and the other one is the Niño, which flows from the north. Also, there are waves, fishing nets, pelicans and "anzumitos" (a mixture of a sea lion and an otter).

This coastal population was once governed by Chimucapac. The need for a restricted use of water and the external threats the government had to face required a strict social control.

Hence, access to "Tshudi" was limited; there was only one entrance door and high walls up to twelve meters. Such walls were wider in their bases (about five meters) than in the high part (about one meter) in case of an earthquake hitting the area.