Churches & Temples

The Portuguese period has left Macau with a legion of grand and beautiful churches, while its Chinese history provides a host of atmospheric temples, many dedicated to gods associated with the seafaring nature of the territory.

A-Ma Temple, Rua de Sao Tiago de Barra. At the southern end of Rua do Almirante Sergio, this picturesque temple was originally founded in 1555 and is dedicated to A-Ma (also known as Mazu), the Goddess of Fishermen and the Sea, one of the principal Taoist deities in Guangdong, Fujian, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The temple is said to have given Macau its name (A-Ma Gao means A-Ma Bay in Cantonese) and was painted by the landscape artist George Chinnery whose works can be seen at the Museum of Art. The temple consists of a principal building at the base of the hill and then a smattering of smaller shrines and statues nestled among the boulders and banana palms of the hillside. A distinctive feature of Macau’s temples is the giant incense coils which you will see hanging almost anywhere there is space in AMa Temple. While the temple looks back to Macau’s past with its seafaring imagery, the pots full of Chinese coins with water trickling over them for good luck are an indication of the territory’s mainland financial future.

St. Augustine’s Church, Largo de Santo Agostinho. Originally built by Augustinian friars from Spain in the late 16th century, St. Augustine’s has been reconstructed and the current building dates back to 1814. Achurch legend states that whenever the central statue of Jesus carrying his crucifix is moved to the cathedral, it magically returns home to its altar overnight. If you’re visiting around Lent, then don’t miss the Procession of the Lord of Steps, where Catholic devotees carry the famous crucifix from the church to the cathedral, before returning it the next day.

St. Dominic’s Church, Largo do Domingos. Built by Dominican priests in 1587, this church still dominates the small square just north of the Largo do Senado. The church was restored in 1997 and now houses the “Treasure of Sacred Art” display upstairs, a collection of chalices, paintings and statues. If you happen to be here in May it’s worth heading to the church on the 13th to witness the white-clad procession that carries the image of Fatima from here to the chapel on Penha hill.

Kun Iam Temple, Avenida do Coronel Mesquita. Dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin), this atmospheric temple complex was originally built in the 13th century, although its current form dates from 1627. At the center of the temple’s banyans, ornately tiled roofs and shrines is the main hall, which contains a clothed statue of Kun Iam. To the rear of this there are 18 statues – see if you can spot the one reputed to be Marco Polo. The temple is also famous as the site where the US and China forged their first trade agreement in 1844. You can still see the table where the Chinese viceroy and US Minister Caleb Cushing signed the treaty.

St Lawrence’s Church, Rua de Sao Lourenco. Macau’s third-oldest church, St. Lawrence’s was first built using wood in the1560s. In 1801 it was rebuilt in stone and recent renovations have restored it to its original beauty. Set amidst palms, St. Lawrence’s cream and white exterior is strikingly Neo-Classical while the interior boasts gold beams, large chandeliers and impressive stained-glass windows. One of its two bell towers was once used as an ecclesiastical prison.

Na Tcha Temple, Rua de Sao Paolo. This tiny temple, just to the left of the Ruins of St. Paul’s, was built in 1888 and, although overshadowed by its towering neighbor, it presents an interesting contrast. Dedicated to the mythical character Na Tcha, it was constructed to try and put a halt to the plague savaging the city at the time. The collection of huge spiraling incense coils from the ceiling and intricate painting add some color to the otherwise gray square.

Penha Chapel, Calcada da Penha. The imposing Bishop’s Palace stands at the top of southern Penha Hill, and looks out over Praia Bay. Within the palace, the small Penha Chapel is the finishing point of the May 13th procession of Our Lady of Fatima, which starts at St. Dominic’s church. In Macau’s maritime past, adventurers and sailors came to the chapel to pray for safe passage on the hazardous seas.