Penghu Travel

Tianhou Temple is located on Zhengyi St. in Makong City. It is the oldest Matsu Temple in Taiwan, even before 1604 when the Dutch retreated. The temple is the religious center of the citizens in Makong.

The temple is a traditional Fujian style architect, which distinguishes from other temples in Taiwan. The columns are used in the joint method including in the halls, main building, and the stretched side houses. The ceilings are decorated with dragons and swallow tails and a sculptured decoration on the back of the roof. The main hall worships Matsu, on the two sides are Goddess of Birth and the local female martyrs. The banner on the back is a memorial banner of defeating the Dutch.

Legend has it, back in 1280, the soldiers of the Yuan Dynasty tried to invade Japan. But they were hit by typhoon and the troops scattered. The emperor had a dream and saw Matsu saved and sheltered the soldiers at Penghu. Later the emperor named Matsu as Tianhou (Goddess of the Sky) and established organization in Penghu. Until 1592, pirates savaging the islands, the Ming Dynasty send in arms to defend. The story goes the defeat the pirates was successful due to the blessing of Matsu. The temple was built to honor the goddess. The Tianhou Temple we recognize today was remodeled after the defeating the Dutch in 1962. And the name Tianhou Temple was given by emperor of the Qing Dynasty in honoring another won battle in 1682. It