Day 15 - Nan Madol, Federated States of Micronesia

📌APIA Every Day (15) - Nan Madol, situated on the island of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, stands as a testament to the ancient Saudeleur dynasty's political and religious prominence. Constructed between 1200 and 1700, Nan Madol served various roles, including being a religious center, royal enclave, fortress, marketplace, and the governmental hub for Pohnpei. The Saudeleur dynasty, originally outsiders who became rulers of Pohnpei, initiated the construction of Nan Madol around 1200. The city, built on a coral reef in a lagoon, was a complex of over 130 buildings on 12 artificial islands, connected by a network of canals. At its zenith, Nan Madol housed around a thousand people, with a highly stratified social structure that isolated the nobility from the commoners. The city's significance gradually declined after the defeat of the Saudeleur in 1628 by the warrior hero Isokelekel, leading to its abandonment in the 18th century.

Nan Madol, recognized as the only existing ancient city built on a coral reef, showcases remarkable engineering and architectural feats. The massive basalt stones, some weighing up to 100,000 pounds, were meticulously arranged in crisscross patterns, forming the walls of the structures. The city's name translates to "within the intervals," referring to the intricate web of tidal canals that crisscross the city. Nan Madol's unique construction gives it the moniker "Venice of the Pacific." Despite centuries of abandonment, the city remains stable, allowing modern-day visitors to tour the site by boat. Designated as the Nan Madol National Historic Landmark, the area encompasses the city, surrounding islets, and adjacent regions. Although privately owned by Pohnpeians, the ownership status of Nan Madol's islets remains unclear. Today, the site is a listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1975), designated National Historic Landmark District (1985), and UNESCO World Heritage Site (2016).

LEARN MORE:

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (including photos Osamu Kataoka in 2014)

National Park Service: Nan Madol

Smithsonian Magazine: Nan Madol: The City Built on Coral Reefs

National Register of Historic Places: Nan Madol

#apiaeveryday #pacificislander #micronesia #pacificislanderheritage #pacificislanderhistory #historicmicronesia #ancientmicronesia #ancientarchitecture #ruins #ancientcity #archiectural #historicengineering #nanmadol #nationalregister #nrhp #unesco #worldheritage #worldheritagesite #historicpreservation