Orongo

Photo

by Pavel Špindler

/ CC BY 3.0

Orongo is a ceremonial village located on the southwestern tip of Easter Island, near the town of Hanga Roa. It is perched on the edge of the Rano Kau volcano and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the crater lake below. This site is historically significant as it was the center of the Birdman cult, a ritual competition that took place annually. Participants competed to retrieve the first sooty tern egg from the islet of Motu Nui. The village contains numerous stone houses and petroglyphs depicting birdmen and other symbolic figures.

Also check out

Ahu Tongariki

Anakena

Rapa Nui National Park

Rano Raraku