Taputapuatea Marae
A major Polynesian sacred and political centre of stone marae, courtyards, platforms, paths, and a lagoon-side ceremonial landscape.
Photo: Kulia Petz · CC BY 2.0
- Country
- French Polynesia
- Region
- Raiatea
- Civilisation
- Polynesian
- Period
- 1st millennium CE onward
- UNESCO
- World Heritage ↗
Through time
The story
Marae Taputapuatea is a large marae complex at Opoa in Taputapuatea, on the eastern coast of Raiatea. The site features a number of marae and other stone structures and was once considered the central temple and religious center of Eastern Polynesia. In 2017, the Taputapuatea area and the marae complex were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its political and religious significance and its testimony to traditional eastern Polynesian culture.
Adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What you will see
- Marae Taputapuatea
- Stone platforms
- Sacred courtyard
Before you go
- Check opening hours and ticket rules shortly before your visit — they change seasonally.
- Plan for the heat. Most ancient sites have little shade; go early or late.
- Respect the barriers. Fragile surfaces are protected for the next visitors.
Discoveries from Taputapuatea Marae
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