House of Taga
The largest latte stones ever raised, at San Jose on Tinian.
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The House of Taga at San Jose on Tinian is a row of latte stones, the pillar-and-capstone supports ancient Chamorro raised their houses on, and these are the largest ever quarried: the standing pillar is around five metres high, and the set of twelve would have carried a building of considerable size. Chamorro tradition attributes them to Chief Taga. Most have fallen but one stands.
What you actually see
- The standing pillar - around five metres, the largest latte ever raised.
- The fallen stones - the rest of the set lying where they came down.
- The scale - a house platform far larger than any other known.
- The Taga tradition - the chief the site is attributed to.
When to go
December to June is the drier season. The site is open ground with set hours. Typhoon season runs July to November.
Honest expectations
Most of the stones are fallen and the site is a set of blocks on the ground. It is small and an hour is generous. Getting to Tinian means a short flight from Saipan.
Nearby
San Jose is around it, and Taga Beach is nearby.
What to pack for House of Taga
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.