Construction Date/Early in the Ming dynasty (pre-16th century)
The Matsu Temple(known among the Chinese as T'ien-hou kung, or Temple of the Queen of Heaven)in Penghu is the earliest religious edifice constructed in Taiwan.
Originally funded in the early Ming Dynasty, it was previously known as Niang-ma kung(Temple of the Honorable Mother); the name was changed when the temple was rebuilt during the period of Japanese occupation.
The temple was first enlarged to commemorate Yu Ta-yu's victory over the Japanese in 1563.
Further enlargement and renovation followed another victory by the Ming armies over the Japanese in 1592(some sources give the latter date for the initial construction).
In 1624 Yu Tzu-kao drove the Dutch out of Penghu, which they had occupied since 1622, and the temple went through another stage of renovation.
When Shin Lang took Penghu for the Ch'ing government in 1683, he reported that he had received the divine aid and protection of Matsu, and in the following year her status as a deity was raised from 'Princess of Heaven'(T'ien-fei)to'Queen of Heaven' (T'ien-hou), by imperial proclamation.
The Penghu Matsu Temple is one of the earliest founded in Taiwan. After undergoing numerous renovations in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, its layout gradually became more complete. Its present appearance dates from a complete restoration carried out in 1923 under the supervision of a famous architect. Photo dates from that period.¡C
As the temple buildings are constructed on a slope. there are stone stairs leading up to the front hall. The roof has a wide curve, and its elevation is unusually high.
The roof itself is inlaid with encaustic tiles; the plain supporting columns represent a departure from the dragon-sculptured ones usually seen in Chinese temples. These are all special features of this Matsu Temple. ¡C
View of the interior of the Main Hall; above the door is a tablet with an inscription praising the virtue and justice of the goddess.
Perspective section of the Front Hall. 1.Outer supporting column. 2.Stone drum. 3.Inner supporting column. 4.Hanging basket. 5.Carving of tiger on wall. 6.Ridge of roof. 7.Ridge of roof of adjoining Pavilion of Worship. 8.Drainage channel.