Chen Chung-He Memorial Hall Introduction
The Cheng Chung-wo Memorial Hall, located in Lingya District, was once the residence of the prominent Cheng Chung-wo family in Kaohsiung. Completed in 1925, the Baroque-style mansion covers a land area of 900 ping, with a garden that extends to 2700 ping. The meticulously designed and elegant structure is renowned as the first private Western-style building in the Kaohsiung area. The building is a two-story brick construction featuring intricate arches, columns, arcades, and triangular gables that embody Western architectural elements. Inside, it follows a nine-grid design, adorned with classical gables, tiger windows, keystones, floorboards, window frames, and stone columns, while still retaining the traditional Minnan architectural layout that showcases its unique Minnan-Western eclectic style. The once magnificent first villa has faded with the passage of time. In 1996, a foundation established by the descendants of the Cheng family commissioned the National Cheng Kung University Department of Architecture to restore the hall based on historical records, opening it to the public and displaying artifacts from the Cheng family. Strolling through the corridors filled with the grandeur of the past, visitors can appreciate the architectural beauty and the historical legacy of the prestigious family. Cultural activities also nourish the spirit, as one gazes at the sunset over the harbor from the railings, enjoying the vast and beautiful sea view.
