Na Tcha Temple
The Na Tcha Temple also called Templo de Na Tcha in Portuguese, rests at the side of the Ruins of St. Paul, back behind the facade. It is located next to the remains of the Old City Wall, which is a part of Macao World Heritage collections. Na Tcha Temple was regarded as an important symbol of a harmonious relationship between Chinese and western cultures.
Na Tcha, a mythological character in China, who was well-known by the story of “Na Tcha Conquers the Dragon King”, was also treated as God of War in the oriental world, particularly highlighted in Macao.
The temple was built in 1888, with an 8.4-meter height and 4.51-meter width -- itself is quite tiny, but it’s worth a quick look inside. In 2005, the temple became one of the designated sites of the Historic Center of Macao that is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Legend and Stories of the Temple
“The loop of the universe represses the evil and the wheel of wind and fire brings blessings and peace”. This is how Chinese people describe Na Tcha in their mind, though he was usually depicted as a youngster, who was nimble and courageous. His image was always depicted as flying in the sky with a wheel of fire under each of his feet, a golden hoop, the so-called “cosmic ring”, around his shoulder, and a spear in his hands.
His stories of beating the Dragon King and protecting his hometown city, Chen Tangguan, which was near the Eastern Sea, were widely spread in China.
As Macao is near the sea, Macao people value highly Na Tcha and regard him as God of the sea or God of the War, that’s also one of the reasons that the Na Tcha Temple was built.
Another origin of the temple was said that long long ago, there was a severe plague that occurred in Macao, almost all the places were infected except Shishan Mountain (Mt. Persimmon) which happened to have a Na Tcha Temple on it. Thus local people living around the Ruins of St. Paul considered that it must be Na Tcha who protected them from the plague, so they built another Na Tcha Temple nearby in order to pray for bliss and peace.
Art of the Architecture
However, what visitors enjoy most is the Chinese-style architecture which is well demonstrated by the Na Tcha Temple. The temple in fact is a distinctive and typical example of a traditional Chinese building, which consists of the main hall and a worship pavilion that measures 28 feet (8.4 m) long and 14.8 feet (4.51 m) wide.
The entrance porch and the flush-gable roof are in the traditional Yingshan style with the ridge 16.5 feet (5 m.) high while the eaves are 11.1 feet (3.4 m) high. The building is constructed of brick walls that have been plastered and painted gray. There are few decorations and paintings on the walls.
You can see a few displays with traditional temple fixtures and decor as well as illustrations on the back wall providing the tale of God of War, Na Tcha. This is interesting to see and helps provide context as to what you are seeing when visiting Na Tcha Temple.
Mixture of Chinese and Western Cultures
By comparing Na Tcha Temple and St. Paul’s Ruins, you may find it is quite interesting to enjoy different views and even cultures at the same time in such a short distance.
You can go nowhere to appreciate this view except for Macao. This is a place where Chinese culture and western culture combining harmoniously -- the magnificent St. Paul’s Ruins represent the charming and glorious western taste, while the Na Tcha Temple stands for a simple, peaceful, and reserved beauty in the eastern world. It appears to be small and humble when compared with the adjacent structures, but it possesses a distinctive dignity.
Standing in the Chinese-style architecture and experiencing the atmosphere of the unique Macao feeling, you will love this temple, despite it’s just a tiny room situated along with the huge St. Paul’s Cathedral. The purity and tranquility of the temple can not be replaced by any other buildings.
- Ticket Price: Free
- Opening Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 17:00 p.m.
- Location: beside the St. Paul’s Ruins, in Macao
- How to Get There?
Bus No. 17, 18, 8A, 26 and get off at Station Bai Gecao (The White Pigeonhole);
Bus No. 10、10A、11、21A、2、3、3A、4、5、6、7、8A、26A、33, getting off at New Road (Xin Malu). When you see the St. Paul’s Ruins, turn around you can find the Na Tcha Temple.