Nice archaeological site with 3 large temple areas. Try to visit in the morning before it’s too hot.

A must stop if you're on Raiatea, the heart of French Polynesia ❤️ There is a little parking lot with nice bathrooms and a manned information booth. There are two pamphlets (which come in English too!) - get them both! They are numbered and correspond with the numbered artifacts and can be extremely helpful guiding you around the site. It can be muddy and sandy so dress appropriately. They do have a shoe clean off area back near the parking lot when you are finished. There are so many cool and interesting things to see and read. Take the time to stop and read all of the plaques, be quiet and take in the gravity of what this historical site means and what has happened there. Be respectful and do not walk on the marae grounds or artifacts. I would say it took us a maybe an hour to walk around and thoroughly see and read everything.

Marae Taputapuātea, located on Ra'iātea Island in French Polynesia, stands as one of the most sacred and historically significant sites in Polynesian culture. This UNESCO World Heritage Site represents both the spiritual heart of Polynesian civilization and a poignant testament to the disruptive forces of colonialism. Marae Taputapuātea served as the religious and political epicenter of Eastern Polynesia for nearly a millennium, with its importance radiating across the vast Polynesian Triangle that connects Hawai'i, New Zealand, and Rapa Nui Easter Island . The marae complex was dedicated to 'Oro, the god of life and death, though it was originally consecrated to Ta'aroa, the creator god. It functioned as a sacred conduit where the world of the living Te Ao intersected with the world of ancestors and gods Te Po. The site hosted important rituals including human sacrifices when the drum Ta'imoana sounded, chiefly inaugurations, and ceremonies where priests donned yellow and red feather belts to honor 'Oro. From approximately 1000 AD to the 18th century, it was the center of a vast political alliance network spanning most of Polynesia. Chiefs, warriors and priests from across the Pacific gathered here regularly to maintain alliances, share navigational knowledge, and conduct ceremonies. New marae throughout Polynesia were often established with stones taken from Taputapuātea, creating spiritual links between distant islands. Positioned at the center of the Polynesian Triangle, it was a crucial waypoint for voyaging canoes. The site faces Te Ava Mo'a, a sacred reef passage that ancient navigators used when arriving for ceremonies. It served as a school where priests and navigators shared knowledge of celestial navigation and genealogical origins of the universe. The arrival of European colonizers in the 18th century marked the beginning of a devastating period for Taputapuātea and Polynesian culture as a whole. Warriors from Bora Bora invaded Ra'iātea, destroying godhouses at Taputapuātea, wrecking platforms, and cutting down sacred trees This attack displaced many Raiateans, including Mai later known as Omai, who became the first Polynesian to visit England. In 1769, James Cook claimed the island for Britain, fulfilling a Polynesian prophecy about outriggerless canoes bringing new rulers. Early 19th century missionaries prompted the abandonment of traditional practices and the marae complex fell into disuse. Christian conversion efforts actively suppressed indigenous spiritual practices centered around the marae. By 1929, when ethnographer Te Rangi Hīroa visited, he found the site in ruins, writing mournfully about the bleak wind of oblivion that had swept over Opoa. The complex interisland alliance system maintained through Taputapuātea ceremonies was shattered. Traditional knowledge systems including navigation techniques and spiritual practices were nearly lost. Despite colonial disruptions, Taputapuātea has regained its status as a living cultural center in recent decades. Restored in 1994 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017 for its outstanding testimony to 1,000 years of mā'ohi civilization. Still serves as a pilgrimage site where Polynesians from across the Pacific reconnect with their ancestral roots. The Association Na Papa E Va'u Raiatea works to preserve the site and revive connections throughout Polynesia. Balancing tourism with sacredness visitors are asked to stay on paths, avoid climbing stones, and maintain respectful silence. Ongoing efforts to reclaim and preserve traditional knowledge nearly erased by colonialism. Maintaining the site's physical integrity while honoring its spiritual significance. Marae Taputapuātea stands as both a monument to Polynesia's remarkable precolonial achievements and a reminder of colonialism's disruptive power. Its story encapsulates the resilience of indigenous cultures and their ongoing efforts to reclaim and celebrate their heritage in the postcolonial era. Today, as voyaging canoes once again stop to pay tribute, Tapu

Wonderful opportunity to learn about local culture. Don't just take away the memories and views, take a part of their history.

One of the most sacred places in the polinesias, once considered the heart of their civilization, is now a sacred temple that still holds ceremonies from the locals that remember their roots and traditions, as the place where they belong.

Nice historial site with remains of what once was the central temple and religious center of Eastern Polynesia and since 2017 is part of the UNESCO world heritage list. Definitely worth stopping if your have a vehicle in Raiatea and can get to the south part of the island. The enclave is unique as it was the gateway for ships to get into the island if approved by the ancient authorities. You will be able to hike a bit on the other side of the road to where the viewpoint was located for those incoming ships.

Very interesting and free. some people had brought picnic lunches and sat along the shoreline

Beautiful cultural site, however not a single information sign to be seen anywhere! A real pity because there were a lot of tourists like is that would have loved to know more about this place. Shame there is not some investment or into this lovely marae

An exceptional, powerful place. Quiet, peaceful, and majestic. It's worth visiting, and while you're there, it's a great opportunity to read up on the culture and beliefs of Tahiti before the arrival of the colonists. This is a unique opportunity to learn what the islands were like before French influences.

Down a side bumpy (but very drivable) gravel road with abundant free parking / free entry, this is a beautiful location and nicely preserved. Happy it is there for future generations and still being used on special occasions. They have restrooms but zero signage or information boards of any kind... so you will need to educate yourself if you are a tourist. For this reason, and as tourists, we greatly preferred Marae Ta'ata as it has great information boards. Still worth a stop just to see this preserved and imagine its use.

It was a nice walk through the historic site. Easy to view and great to have been able to see it.

The Arahurahu Marae Temple in Tahiti is a glimpse into the island’s ancient Polynesian culture and spirituality. Our guide led us to this sacred place, explaining its deep historical and spiritual significance. A marae is an open-air temple used by Polynesians for ceremonies, including worship, community gatherings, and important rites of passage. These temples were often dedicated to gods, ancestors, or chiefs. The marae we visited featured massive stone platforms and carefully arranged coral slabs. Our guide shared that such sites were central to Polynesian society before European contact.

Beautiful, easy to get to, serene and spiritual.

Cool, but there's not much to look at