Yifangju Ancient House Introduction
Yifangju is an ancient residence built by the Chen clan, early pioneers from Taipei, whose ancestral roots trace back to Anxi County in Quanzhou, Fujian Province. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the clan's ancestor crossed the sea to Taiwan to cultivate the land. They had prior dwellings, but significant investment was made to construct Yifangju in the early Guangxu period. This ancient three-section compound is a typical structure of the Taipei Basin, featuring a concave-shaped central entrance. The walls of both the main building and the protective dragon walls are made of sturdy thick bricks, with fewer door and window openings. Additionally, a two-story gun cupboard was built on the outer protective dragon wall for self-defense against bandit incursions. Many of its windows are crafted from stone sourced from the sandstone produced in Taipei, showcasing local characteristics. The plaque above the door reads "Yifangju," dated in the Bingshen year, which is calculated to be built in the second year of Guangxu. With the rapid development of modern Taipei City, ancient residences from the Qing Dynasty, like Yifangju, are becoming increasingly rare, serving as historical testaments to Taipei's early development.
