Wang'an Flower House (Zhongsha Ancient House) Introduction
Wang-an Flower House, located in Zhongshe Village of Wang-an Township in Penghu, gets its name from the surrounding terrain, as it is encircled by hills, resembling petals surrounding a flower's center. Early settlers cultivated the land and built houses near the heart of the flower (the peak of the hill), hence it is called "Flower House." In its heyday, it was a garden of traditional Minnan architecture with over a hundred households, showcasing the prosperity and thriving atmosphere of that era. The original name of Zhongshe Ancient House was "Flower House," and at the very center of Flower House, there is a small hill that residents refer to as "Flower Heart," meaning the center of Flower House. The Flower House settlement is one of the more intact traditional settlements in Penghu. Later, when Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo inspected Flower House, he believed it was located in the true center of Zhongshe Village, so he renamed Flower House to "Zhongshe" Ancient House. The entire Zhongshe Village is filled with ancient houses that date back many years, forming a unique settlement pattern of Sanheyuan called "one print." Among them, the most famous ancient house is the Zeng Family Ancient House, distinguished by windows featuring the character "Zeng." This ancient house complex is quite well-preserved, holding significant historical and cultural value. In 2003, with the agreement of all family members of the Zeng family, renovations were carried out based on the original architectural structure, along with a covenant stipulating future descendants must ensure the complete appearance during any restorations. The red-bricked windows displaying the character "Zeng" clearly reveal the surname of the building's owner. The main entrance adopts a "reversed swallow's mouth" design, and the top of the entrance is paved flat with bricks, usually used for drying fish or peanuts. The front elevation features elegant decorations with Japanese 5x5 patterned tiles, and the wall stones are different from most ancient houses in Penghu, as the Zeng Family Ancient House is constructed from basalt. The front windows have a scroll-like design that is reminiscent of classic literature. It has been listed among the world's hundred places at risk of disappearance and is officially designated as a "Historic House Preservation Area" by the Council for Cultural Affairs. 【Recommended visit duration】 1 hour.
The façade of the entrance adopts the "upside-down swallow" style, with window shapes resembling scrolls, reminiscent of Microsoft’s registered trademark.
