aeeble

The Chen Zhonghe Memorial Hall, located in the Lingya District, once served as the residence of the prominent Chen Zhonghe family, the first aristocratic clan in Kaohsiung. Completed in 1925, this Baroque-style villa covered 900 ping of land, with an expansive courtyard of 2,700 ping. The architecture is exquisite, refined, and grand—a testament to the first private mansion in Kaohsiung’s history. The building is a two-story brick structure featuring western architectural elements such as delicate arches, columns, a colonnade, and triangular wall corners on the exterior. Inside, the layout follows a nine-square grid, with classical features like a mountain wall, tiger windows, keystones, floor covering, window frames, and stone pillars—all reflective of traditional Minnan design. It fully showcases the fusion of Minnan and Western architectural styles. Once the shining emblem of a powerful family, the mansion’s grandeur has faded with time. In 1996, a foundation established by Chen family descendants commissioned the Cheng Kung University Architecture Department to restore the building based on historical records and open it to the public, displaying Chen family artifacts. Strolling through the corridors imbued with past splendor, one can taste the architectural beauty and the illustrious history of the aristocratic clan. Cultural activities further nourish the soul, and gazing across the harbor at sunset from the railing reveals an expansive, endlessly beautiful seascape.