Culture of Avarua. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Avarua attracts fans of beach holidays and exotic nature, so the presence of interesting historic sights in the city and its surroundings becomes a pleasant surprise for travelers. Start exploring local attractions by visiting Te Ara-Cook Islands Museum of Cultural Enterprise, which occupies an original historic building. This museum introduces its visitors to the traditional culture of the indigenous islanders. A significant part of its collection is devoted to traditional crafts.

Local people are good at leaf weaving so the museum displays the most interesting works of local craftsmen. The museum also keeps a collection of ancient musical instruments. A collection of old photographs is of great interest too. The museum has many interesting thematic installations, as well as beautiful aquariums with exotic fish. After the tour, you can relax in a cozy cafe that shares the same building as the museum.

The capital’s main religious monument is the historic Cook Island Christian Church. It was built in 1853 it has remained unchanged since then. In the 19th century, a cemetery was formed on the territory of the church. Now they are considered to be a single historical and architectural complex. The old cemetery itself is another major city attraction. The church features a simple and beautiful design with wooden furniture in the style of past centuries. Ancient chandeliers and skillful woodwork, as well as colorful stained-glass windows, have been preserved in its hall. The historic church is surrounded by a large garden where you can find several interesting old statues. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Not far from the church, there is a very interesting and symbolic historical monument - Stone Papeyha. It is not known exactly how this stone appeared in the city center, but it was named by locals in honor of one of the first Christian preachers who visited the island. It was he who initiated the construction of the first church in Avarua. This historical period became very important for the townspeople.

The city has a very unusual catholic cathedral, St Joseph's Cathedral, which is strikingly different from most churches that can be seen in other modern cities. It is housed in a one-story modern building. The cathedral was designed in keeping with the beautiful traditions of past years. It features graceful wood finishing and handcrafted wooden furniture. The best local craftsmen were invited to work on the cathedral's design. One of the main decorations of the church is masterfully carved wooden elements. Among the decorations of the church, it is worth noting large stained glass windows and many magnificent sculptures. The cathedral is surrounded by a spacious landscaped garden.

One of the main cultural centers in the city is the Cook Islands Library & Museum. The museum building with its colorful painted facade is a noticeable landmark itself. The museum's collection is very diverse. Here you can see wooden masks and cult paraphernalia that local residents used before the advent of Christianity. On the adjacent territory of the museum, you will see old wooden boats that were used by local fishermen more than a hundred years ago.

Of particular interest is a gift shop located under one roof with the museum. It sells nice handmade wicker hats, fashion jewelry, and regional-style beach accessories. Also, the museum shares a building with the main city library. It has gathered an interesting collection of books on the history and culture of the Cook Islands. A significant part of the literature is devoted to the colonial period. Some modern books and travel guides are also available for sale.

A beautiful villa, a striking example of colonial architecture, houses the Cook Islands National Museum. This one presents an amazing collection of historical artifacts. A significant part of the artifacts belongs to the 18th-19th centuries. The museum keeps a collection of ancient tools and weapons. Here you can see clay vessels of various shapes and sizes. A separate exposition is devoted to the art of fishing. In the museum, you can see old wooden boats that were made by hand by local fishermen. It also boasts of a rich collection of cult paraphernalia. On its territory, you can see ancient stone sculptures brought here from various parts of the island. One should never pass by Avarua's numerous art galleries where local artists present their masterpieces.