Taichung Martyrs' Shrine Introduction
Taichung's Zhonglieci, originally the second-generation Taichung Shrine during the Japanese colonial period, was relocated in 1942 from Xinfucheng (Taichung Park) to the Xingaotai Water Source Park (now the site of Zhonglieci and the Confucius Temple) and was upgraded to a National Shrine. After Taiwan's retrocession in 1945, the Taichung Shrine was directly transformed into the Taichung City Zhonglieci. The Entrance Gate is a three-bay, four-pillar, seven-story concrete structure topped with blue glazed tiles, with "忠烈祠" (Zhonglieci) embedded in the center of the lintel, and "成仁" (Achieve Righteousness) and "取義" (Uphold Justice) embedded on either side, serving as the grand entrance for visitors to Zhonglieci. The Mountain Gate is also topped with blue glazed tiles, featuring celestial beasts on the ridge, with clear-style painted beams. It has a deep red cypress main door adorned with ninety-eight brass studs and beast-head brass rings. Flanking the Mountain Gate are couplets that read: "The heroic spirit is eternally honored in the vast cosmos; Achieving righteousness and upholding justice will be enjoyed for thousands of years," expressing a majestic grandeur. The Front Hall has a roof covered in yellow glazed tiles and is decorated with celestial beings and beasts, with the beams painted in designs including hemp leaf heads, a霸王拳 (Overlord Fist), and sparrow brackets. On both sides, there are hexagonal pavilions covered with yellow glazed tiles, adorned with precious tops and beast sculptures, featuring colorful painted beams that depict passionflowers and intricately linked designs. Inside the pavilions are painted clouds, with the beams below carved from cypress wood into sparrow brackets. The Main Hall is a concrete building designed in the style of Northern Qing dynasty palaces, topped with yellow glazed tiles and decorated with celestial beasts on the ridge. It features deep red cypress diamond-patterned doors and windows, surrounded by white concrete pillars with carved flower designs, encircled by railings resembling dragon-headed auspicious vases. The altar is paved with dark red granite, while the interior is laid with marble floors and red carpets, and the walls are covered with granite slabs, enhancing its elegant and solemn appearance.
