A-Ma Temple: The Temple That Gave Macau Its Name

A-Ma Temple is one of the oldest and most historic temples in Macau, dedicated to Mazu, the goddess of sailors and fishermen, known as A-Ma in Cantonese. It sits at the foot of Barra Hill beside the Inner Harbour, facing the water, and it is the reason Macau has its present name: when the Portuguese first landed near here they asked the local name of the place and were told “A-Ma-Gau,” the Bay of A-Ma, which they turned into Macau.

The temple complex climbs the hillside in a series of pavilions, courtyards and prayer halls, linked by stone steps and winding paths, and the setting among old banyan trees and boulders carved with calligraphy gives it an unusually calm atmosphere for a place so close to the city center. Giant incense coils hang from the ceilings of the prayer halls, filling the air with smoke and a warm, woody smell. The temple was built in the Ming dynasty, and its structures have been rebuilt and extended over the centuries.

The Maritime Museum stands opposite the temple on Barra Square and covers the history of Macau's seafaring traditions, with a small collection of boats and displays. Barra Square itself is a pleasant space of colonial buildings, and the Moorish-style Mandarin's House, once the home of a Chinese reformer, is a short walk away. The Lilau Square area has quiet lanes that feel far from the casinos.