Baha'i House of Worship

The Baha'i House of Worship for the Pacific stands on a hillside above Apia, dedicated in 1984, a nine-sided dome of white with a ribbed surface and nine entrances, set in gardens with the coast visible below. Like all Baha'i temples it is open to anyone of any faith and holds no images, no clergy and no ritual beyond readings from scripture. Only a handful of such buildings exist anywhere in the world.

What you actually see

• The nine-sided dome - the ribbed white structure with nine entrances.
• The gardens - the planted grounds around the temple on the hillside.
• The plain interior - a space without images, altars or clergy.
• The coastal view - Apia and the north coast visible below.

When to go

Year round; the temple keeps daytime hours. Readings happen at set times. Mornings are clearest for the view.

Honest expectations

The interior is very plain and half an hour covers the visit. It is a drive up the Cross Island Road with no public transport. Dress and behaviour expectations apply.

Nearby

Apia is below, and Lake Lanoto'o is further along the road.