Judicial Yuan Building, Constitutional landmark in Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan
The Judicial Yuan Building is a government office in Taipei's Zhongzheng District, completed in 1934 and marked by a clock tower rising 75 meters high. The structure blends Western architecture with Eastern elements, such as the octagonal center shape that mirrors the bell tower of Lungshan Temple.
The building was constructed under Japanese rule and originally served as the High Court during that period. After the end of Japanese occupation, it was transformed into the headquarters of Taiwan's highest judicial authority and remained central to the country's legal system.
The name "Judicial Yuan" comes from traditional Chinese governance, where a Yuan represents a branch of government. Today visitors can see how the building blends Western and Eastern design in public spaces, reflecting how Taiwan merged different traditions.
The building is easy to spot from the outside and located in a central area where it is walkable. Visitors should know that this is an active government building, so access to the interior may be limited.
The exterior walls are clad in light green tiles that were specifically chosen for air defense purposes in the 1930s. This unexpected design detail shows how practical needs at the time of construction shaped the building's appearance.
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