Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
27 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
27 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
27 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
27 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Palau Badrulchau Stone Monoliths

Badrulchau Stone Monoliths

These ancient monoliths make up one of the largest archaeological sites in Palau.

Palau

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The monoliths of Palau, 2013.   sandwich
The monoliths of Palau, 2013.   sandwich
The standing stones of Palau.   Abasaa
A stone with a face in the Badrulchau Stone Monoliths.   Abasaa
One of the stone faces of Badrulchau.   Abasaa
The Badrulchau Stone Monoliths, Babeldaob Island.   Abasaa
Ancient standing stones scattered across the field.   ctsnow
Several fallen monoliths   arc459 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Possibly the largest and oldest archaeological site in Palau, the Badrulchau Stone Monoliths can be found on the hill slopes at the northernmost point of Babeldaob Island. The site consists of 52 basalt megaliths lined up in two rows, crude faces carved into some of them. Archaeologists estimate its construction dates back to around the year 161.

The purposes of these stone monuments have been a question, but it is believed that they served as pillars for a bai, a type of traditional Palauan meeting-house. According to legends, this bai was constructed by the gods and could house thousands of people at one time. If that is the case, the monoliths may be the remains of the largest bai ever built.

If you're fond of Pacific history, archaeological mysteries, and a spectacular view of the sea, you will enjoy this hidden treasure of ruins.

Related Tags

Stone Megalithic Rock Formations Statues Archaeology

Know Before You Go

Badrulchau is located in Ngarchelong State on Babeldaob Island. The entrance and ticket office are located on a small hill, beneath which the Monoliths can be found.

Community Contributors

Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Edited By

arc459

  • arc459

Published

June 2, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.lonelyplanet.com/palau/babeldaob/attractions/badrulchau-stone-monoliths/a/poi-sig/1522259/362821
  • https://www.whattoseenext.com/palau/badrulchau-palau
  • https://www.ancient.eu/image/10440/stone-face-monoliths-of-palau/
  • https://www.pristineparadisepalau.com/palau_states/ngarchelong/
Badrulchau Stone Monoliths
Unnamed Road
Palau
7.709048, 134.630879

Nearby Places

Jellyfish Lake

Koror, Palau

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Palau

Palau

Oceania

Places 2
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Jellyfish Lake

Koror, Palau

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Palau

Palau

Oceania

Places 2
Stories 1

Related Places

  • Stones at the original Nabta Playa site

    Aswan, Egypt

    Nabta Playa Stone Circle

    This North African stone complex is considered to be the oldest astronomical observatory on Earth.

  • A small donation is requested

    Kefalas, Greece

    The House of Stone Creations

    Nestled in the hills of Crete, a local artist has created a wonderland of stone and terracotta sculptures.

  • Sarcophagus of Chrodoara

    Amay, Belgium

    Sarcophagus of Chrodoara

    Since its accidental discovery in 1977, this sarcophagus has been described as "the greatest masterpiece of Merovingian sculpture north of the Alps."

  • Hole-in-the-Rock

    Phoenix, Arizona

    Hole-in-the-Rock

    Millions of years of erosion created the feature for which this rock formation is aptly named.

  • Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain

    Poblat talaiòtic de Torrellafuda

    A remarkable prehistoric site featuring well-preserved Talayotic structures offers a glimpse into the ancient civilizations that once thrived on Menorca.

  • Taken May 2024 -  Photographer Anna Duren

    Toyama, Japan

    Fureai Sekibutsu no Sato (Village of Statues)

    This abandoned park is home to hundreds of stone statues ranging from humans to mystical beings.

  • The lush, forest surroundings of the Natural Bridge of Arkansas make fall a great time to visit.

    Clinton, Arkansas

    Natural Bridge of Arkansas

    This sandstone marvel of nature is worth a stop along Highway 65.

  • Stane Alane Standing Stone

    Lochgilphead, Scotland

    Stane Alane Standing Stone

    A mysterious solitary standing stone from the Neolithic period.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.