A-Ma Temple

The A-Ma Temple not only predates the city of Macau, but might have even given the place its name. A-Ma is the goddess of seafarers and fishermen. According to legend, Portuguese sailors misheard "A-Ma-Gau" (bay of A-Ma) as "Macau", and history was made. Built in 1488 during the Ming Dynasty, it is the oldest and most famous temple in the city, with pavilions for the worship of Taoist, Buddhist, and folk deities.