Te Pito Kura (Navel of the World)
Te Pito o te Henua
A smooth, round 'magnetic stone' on the north coast, said to have been brought by King Hotu Matu'a. Beside it lies the largest fallen moai on the island.
Te Pito Kura is located at La Pérouse Bay on the north coast. The platform here holds a fallen 'Paro' moai about 10 meters long, the largest moai that was ever erected on a platform on the island. Beside it, a smooth round stone about 80 cm in diameter is enclosed by a stone wall. It is known as the Navel of the World (Te Pito o te Henua, also the ancient name of Easter Island). Legend says that the first king, Hotu Matu'a, brought it from his homeland, and that it holds mana, a supernatural power said to make compasses malfunction. To protect the stone, touching it is prohibited. The site is in the national park fee zone, and entry requires a national park ticket and a licensed guide (subject to current regulations). It can be visited on the same day as Anakena Beach.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:00–18:00 (per park rules)
Nearby sights
- Papa Vaka Petroglyphs
- Ovahe Beach
- Anakena Beach
- Rano Raraku
- Ahu Tongariki
- Poike Peninsula
- Ahu Akahanga
- Maunga Terevaka