The Chimú Empire reigned supreme from A.D. 950 to 1440. Chan Chan, the capital city, was in the Moche Valley. At its zenith, Chan Chan had an estimated population of 50,000 inhabitants, and it covered about 15 miles of coastal plains. Today Chan Chan, an adobe city, covers about three and a half miles. It is a remarkable example of desert architecture designed and built with local materials to cope with the harsh coastal environment.

The core of the city has 10 large walled rectangular enclosures, monumental in scale, called ciudadelas (citadels).