Atuona
Encyclopedia
Atuona, located on Atuona Bay
on the southern side of Hiva Oa
island, is the administrative centre of the commune
(municipality) of Hiva-Oa
. Atuona was the capital of all the Marquesas Islands
but it has been replaced by Taiohae (on Nuku Hiva
).
The peak Temetiu
, rising to 1,213 m (3,980 ft) above sea level
, towers above the town.
Atuona was the final home of Paul Gauguin
, who died there in 1903 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery
, which overlooks the town. The Belgian
singer Jacques Brel
is also buried there. In 2003, construction on the Paul Gauguin Cultural Center
was completed in Atuona.
Atuona Bay
Atuona Bay is a small inlet on the north shore of Ta‘a ‘Oa , on the southern coast of Hiva ‘Oa...
on the southern side of Hiva Oa
Hiva Oa
Hiva Oa is the second largest island in the Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest island of the Southern Marquesas group. According to local religion, the gods created the islands as their home. Therefore all islands have...
island, is the administrative centre of the commune
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
(municipality) of Hiva-Oa
Hiva-Oa
Hiva-Oa is a commune of French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. The commune is in the administrative subdivision of the Marquesas Islands....
. Atuona was the capital of all the Marquesas Islands
Marquesas Islands
The Marquesas Islands enana and Te Fenua `Enata , both meaning "The Land of Men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. The Marquesas are located at 9° 00S, 139° 30W...
but it has been replaced by Taiohae (on Nuku Hiva
Nuku Hiva
Nuku Hiva is the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It was formerly also known as Île Marchand and Madison Island....
).
The peak Temetiu
Temetiu
Temetiu is the South Marquesan name for the highest peak of the mountain ridge that rises above the western end of Ta'a Oa in southwestern Hiva ‘Oa....
, rising to 1,213 m (3,980 ft) above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
, towers above the town.
Atuona was the final home of Paul Gauguin
Paul Gauguin
Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin was a leading French Post-Impressionist artist. He was an important figure in the Symbolist movement as a painter, sculptor, print-maker, ceramist, and writer...
, who died there in 1903 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery
Calvary Cemetery, Atuona
Calvary Cemetery is the main cemetery in Atuona, Hiva ‘Oa, French Polynesia. It is located on a hillside on the eastern edge of town, overlooking the anchorage on Atuona Bay....
, which overlooks the town. The Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
singer Jacques Brel
Jacques Brel
Jacques Brel was a Belgian singer-songwriter who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following in France initially, and later throughout the world. He was widely considered a master of the modern chanson...
is also buried there. In 2003, construction on the Paul Gauguin Cultural Center
Paul Gauguin Cultural Center
The Paul Gauguin Cultural Center was finished in 2003, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the death of Paul Gauguin, in Atuona, on Hiva ‘Oa, in the Marquesas Islands ....
was completed in Atuona.