Dozens of cone-shaped incense coils hanging under a roof, with the temple's red walls in the background.

A-Ma Temple

A temple dedicated to A-Ma, goddess of seafarers, completed in 1488 and older than the city itself; tradition links the origin of the name Macau to it.

  • Religion and art
  • Suggested time:45 min
  • Area:Barra

About A-Ma Temple

Before Macau existed, this temple already did. Completed in 1488 in the Barra district, it is dedicated to A-Ma, also called Mazu, the protective goddess of fishermen and sailors. Instead of a single hall, you walk through several pavilions: the gate, the memorial arch, the prayer hall, the Hall of Benevolence, which is the oldest part, and the Guanyin hall.

It is a fully active place of worship, with worshippers lighting incense and making wishes, so move calmly and give way. On the way out, Barra Square has mosaic Portuguese-style paving, which turns the entrance of the city's oldest Chinese temple into a neat summary of Macau.

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