The Sacrificial Ceremonies Martial Temple

The Sacrificial Ceremonies Martial Temple

The Sacrificial Ceremonies Martial Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Sacrificial Ceremonies Martial Temple is located on Yongfu Road, adjacent to the Great Heavenly Palace. Also known as the Guan Yu Temple, it was built during the Ming Zheng period, and its current appearance dates back to renovations in the late Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. It serves as the faith center for Guan Yu, the God of Martial Arts in this province. The temple is divided into three sections, with its finely detailed architectural carvings being a main highlight.

After multiple restorations, the existing temple largely retains the appearance it had after its 1840 reconstruction, with the exception of the inner Guanyin Hall, which differs somewhat from its original form. The north-facing Sacrificial Ceremonies Martial Temple features an 8-meter wide, 20-meter deep, three-bay, three-section, two-corridor layout. Due to the varying heights of its halls, the slanted gable walls with flying eaves create a visually appealing undulating silhouette when viewed from the side. In terms of deities enshrined, this three-section, three-hall martial temple has the first section dedicated to Guan Yu; the second section honors the three generations of ancestors of the Martial Saint (added after the 1720s); and the third section is dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin) and the Eighteen Arhats. Additionally, the rear section includes the Western Society hall dedicated to the God of Literature (Wenchang Dijun), a small garden with side rooms, and a theater stage added during the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan.