The Mysterious Nan Madol: The Eighth Wonder of the World
Located on the distant shores of Asia, in the Micronesian archipelago, lies what European explorers have dubbed the eighth wonder of the world – a mysterious city built on water. It has also been referred to as the “Venice of the Pacific” and the “City of Ghosts,” evoking both admiration and fear.
The “Venice of the Pacific”: Ruins of a Lost World
Nan Madol is a city made up of 92 small basaltic and coral islands, with a significant fortified center, interconnected by a multitude of navigable canals. Access to each of these islands, which housed residences, temples, warehouses, and various other structures, was only possible by boat. The city has been abandoned for over 500 years and is now an archaeological site included in UNESCO’s World Heritage, also known as the “Venice of the Pacific” due to the canals that connect different structures. The ghostly city of Nan Madol is located near Pohnpei Island, part of the Micronesian state of Pohnpei in the western Pacific Ocean.
The most spectacular part of the site is the main island, a fortified area with high walls, including large megalithic structures. Nan Madol, in the local language, means “Among the canals.” However, the original name of the city was Soun Nan-Leng, meaning “Celestial Reef.” This name refers to the fact that the city is partially built on coral reefs. Visitors describe it as fascinating, the eighth wonder of the world. Nan Madol can only be reached by boat and only during the day, as locals fear the spirits that are believed to reside beyond the thick stone walls. The entire complex covers an area of 18 square kilometers.
The Powerful Capital of the Wizard-founded Dynasty
The first systematic archaeological research at Nan Madol took place in the 1970s, led by specialist Arthur Saxe. Since then, several scientific expeditions have been organized in this “Pacific Venice.” According to specialists, this mysterious city was built in the 12th century AD, and from 1180 AD, Nan Madol was the religious and political center of the Saudeleur dynasty, which ruled the Pohnpei and Temwen islands from the 10th century, founding a powerful Micronesian empire. Micronesian legends suggest that this powerful Saudeleur dynasty was founded by the wizard twins Olisihpa and Olosohpa, who came from the mythical land of Kataul de Vest.
The two wizard brothers searched the ocean in a canoe for a piece of land to build an altar and offer sacrifices to the god of agriculture, Nahnisohn Sahpw. Ultimately, the brothers found the area where the ruins of Nan Madol now stand, especially the central reef, on which a huge megalithic construction was built in the heart of the city. Historians suggest that the first inhabitants of Pohnpei Island were part of the Lapita culture, originating from the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, physically resembling the famous Maori people of New Zealand. Over time, they built ancient cities, still sought after by archaeologists, before developing the civilization that led to the construction of Nan Madol. Nan Madol was the political center of the Saudeleur kings, an absolutist monarchy of divine origin. Research indicates that water and food had to be brought from Pohnpei Island to this sacred city of the Micronesian leaders.
A Political Center and a City of the Dead
Specialists reveal that the water city of Nan Madol served a dual purpose. On one hand, it was the residence of the Micronesian elite, and on the other hand, it was a “city of the dead,” hosting the tombs of ancestors and former tribal chiefs. The homes of the nobility, attended by a multitude of servants, were connected by canals for increased protection. It is said that political rivals were brought to this city to make it difficult for them to leave and to monitor them more easily. In total, it is estimated that around 1000 people, nobles, rivals, and an army of servants and warriors brought to guard the aristocrats, lived in the water city.
The most significant area was Madol Powe, a kind of water cemetery consisting of 58 stone islets in the northeast of Nan Madol. Only priests who performed various rituals at the tombs of tribal chiefs and prominent aristocrats lived here. Archaeological excavations have revealed that some islands within Nan Madol represented the city’s industrial zone, housing workshops for canoe production essential for connecting to the main island and navigating the canals, as well as workshops for preparing coconut oil and kitchens where food was prepared for the elite living on the island. The largest funerary monument is located on Nandauwas Island, an enormous megalithic tomb surrounded by walls over 7.7 meters high, serving as the royal crypt where the first monarchs of the Saudeleur dynasty rested.
In essence, Nan Madol, or Soun Nan-Leng, as it was known to the Micronesians around eight centuries ago, was the power center of tribal chiefs and Micronesian kings from the Saudeleur dynasty, a royal water city, a luxurious and exclusive residence for the nobility. It was forbidden to common people, accessible only by canoes and with the approval of the warriors guarding the dozens of stone islands inhabited by the nobility. Ingredients for the aristocracy and Micronesian kings’ meals were brought from Pohnpei Island and cooked in the enormous kitchens of Nan Madol. Additionally, the island was a significant religious symbol in the cult of ancestors. Therefore, present-day locals are afraid to go to Nan Madol alone, and tourists are only taken there during the day. The city was abandoned five centuries ago, and much remains unknown about Nan Madol.
Conclusion
Nan Madol stands as a testament to the ancient Micronesian civilization, a city of mystery and intrigue that continues to captivate visitors with its enigmatic allure. As the eighth wonder of the world, this water city remains shrouded in secrets, waiting to reveal more about its past and the fascinating culture that once thrived within its stone walls.
FAQ
Is Nan Madol open to the public?
No, Nan Madol is considered a sacred site and access is restricted. Visitors can only explore the ruins during the day and with proper authorization.
What is the significance of Nan Madol?
Nan Madol served as the political and religious center of the Saudeleur dynasty, a powerful Micronesian empire. It was also a burial ground for tribal chiefs and aristocrats, reflecting its dual role as a city of the living and the dead.