Bibliotheca Zi-Ka-Wei, Research library in Xujiahui, Shanghai, China
Bibliotheca Zi-Ka-Wei is a two-story research library in Xujiahui that blends European-style arched windows with architectural elements from the Ming Dynasty era. The structure contains thirteen rooms filled with an extensive collection of historical documents in multiple languages.
A French Jesuit missionary founded this library in 1847 as a small collection within a seminary setting, which eventually developed into a separate building. The facility has operated as a branch of the Shanghai Library system since 1956.
The building reflects its religious roots through details visitors notice as they walk through its rooms and past its collections. It represents a place where Western learning and Chinese scholarship coexisted from the very beginning.
Visitors should allow time to explore the thirteen rooms at their own pace, as each space displays different sections of the collection. It is best to arrive early in order to browse the materials without feeling rushed.
The building houses two large religious sculptures from the 1800s that depict scenes from Jesuit history, which many visitors overlook as they focus on the books. These artworks capture the spiritual purpose that inspired the library's creation.
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