Na Tcha Chinese Temple

The Na Tcha Temple located near the Ruin of St Paul was constructed in the 24th year Guangxu Reign (1898). There are couplets on the gate: "The loop of universe represses the evil and the wheel of wind and fire brings blessings and peace."

The temple consists of a main hall and a worship pavilion, whose architectural style inherits that of the Na Tcha Temple Calcada das Verdades.

The temple is dedicated to Na Tcha, God of Earth, Monkey King, Sam Leong (mother of Mencius) and Emperor Ziwei.

The Na Tcha Chinese Temple was rebuilt in 1901. The temple's altar dates back to 1888 and the incense burner to 1898.

The temple was recently restored in 1995 and again in 2000, regaining many of its original features. The restoration work included repairs to the temple's roof, consolidation of the walls and the replacement of decayed wood in the structure.

Na Tcha Chinese Temple built in 1888 stands adjacent to the Ruins of St.Paul, close to the remaining Section of the Old City walls.

The temple porch is 8.4 metres long and 4.51 metres wide, with a single chamber and no courtyard. The temple building itself is only 5 metres long, with brick walls that have been plastered and decorated.

The flush-gable roof is in the traditional Yingshan style, with the ridge 5 metres high and the eaves 3.4 metres high.

The whole structure is predominantly grey, with little decoration, except for some drawings on the pediment. The entrance porch is a Xieshan style structure, with an overhanging gable roof.

There are traditional animal sculptures on the temple? ridge and upturned eaves. The small Na Tcha Chinese Temple looks humble, but retains its distinctive dignity. Compared with the adjacent structures, Na Tcha Chinese Temple resembles a miniature architectural scale model.

Text and Photos adapted from I.C.M.