Chen Chong-he Memorial Hall Introduction
The Chen Chong He Memorial Hall, located in Lingya District, was once the residence of the prominent Chen Chong He family in Kaohsiung. Completed in 1925, this Baroque-style villa sits on a 900 ping lot, with a garden spanning 2,700 ping. The architecture is meticulously crafted, elegant, and grand, representing the first private Western-style mansion in the Kaohsiung area. The building features a two-story brick structure adorned with refined archways, columns, cloisters, and triangular gables, showcasing Western architectural elements. The interior is designed in a nine-square grid layout, featuring classical gables, dormer windows, keystones, intricate flooring, window frames, and stone pillars, all of which reflect the traditional Minnan architectural style, fully illustrating its eclectic Minnan-Western characteristics. Once a symbol of grandeur, the first Western-style mansion has faded over time. In 1996, a foundation established by the Chen family commissioned the National Cheng Kung University Department of Architecture to restore the site based on historical documentation and open it for public visits, displaying artifacts from the Chen family. Strolling through the corridor filled with former splendor, visitors can appreciate the aesthetic beauty of the architecture and the illustrious history of the illustrious family, while cultural activities nourish the spirit. From the railing, one can gaze at the sunset over the harbor, enjoying the vast and beautiful seascape.
