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Museum · Hanga Roa, Valparaíso
Museo Antropológico Padre Sebastián Englert
Anthropology museum in the Tahai area of Hanga Roa, with archaeological items and wood carvings that tell the story of the rapa nui people, the moai, and the bird-man cult.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Museo Antropológico Padre Sebastián Englert
The Museo Antropológico Padre Sebastián Englert is in Tahai, north of downtown Hanga Roa. It was established on October 10, 1973 to preserve the archaeological material and documents that Father Sebastián Englert, a missionary born in Bavaria and the first parish priest of Santa Cruz, left to the Chilean state.
The collection includes more than 1,500 objects among archaeological pieces and handicrafts, with over a hundred wood carvings. The exhibition explains the arrival of the Polynesians, the construction and transport of the moai, the Tangata Manu cult, and the changes the island experienced after contact with Europeans. There are also female wooden figures, the moai vi'e, made by island sculptors.
Next door is the Biblioteca William Mulloy, specialized in the history and archaeology of Rapa Nui. It's worth visiting at the start of your trip to understand what you'll see at the park sites.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About an hour.
Best time
On the first day on the island, before excursions, or on a rainy morning. Check opening days and hours before you go.
How to get there
It is about 1.5 km from downtown Hanga Roa, near Tahai. You can walk along the coast or take a taxi.
Tip
Combine the visit with the sunset at Tahai, a few minutes' walk away. The panels are in Spanish, and the order of the rooms follows the island's chronology.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Museo Antropológico Padre Sebastián Englert
Who was Sebastián Englert?
He was a Capuchin missionary born in Bavaria, the first parish priest of the Iglesia de la Santa Cruz. He studied the Rapa Nui language and history and left his materials to the Chilean state.
Is it worth visiting the museum before the sites?
Yes. The exhibit explains the moai, the ahu and the bird-man cult, and helps you understand what the guide shows during the tours.
Where is the museum located?
In the Tahai area, north of downtown Hanga Roa, a few minutes' walk from the moai at Tahai.