Old House of Siiao Family, County monument residence in Jiadong, Taiwan.
The Old House of Siiao Family is a residential structure with more than 50 rooms organized around two central courtyards. The layout reflects how a wealthy merchant household arranged its living and working spaces across a large property.
Construction began in 1860 by merchants from Guangdong and was completed in 1880, representing two decades of building work. The structure later received official monument status, recognizing its importance to the region.
The residence reflects traditional Hakka architectural design across five distinct blocks that served purposes for ancestor worship and spiritual ceremonies. These spaces show how spirituality was woven into the daily life of those who lived here.
The property walls bear visible bullet holes from conflicts in 1895 when control of Taiwan changed hands. These marks provide visitors with physical evidence of a turbulent period in the location's history.
The building contains an entrance hall, a room for ancestor memorial tablets, and a shrine to deities of heaven and earth. These sacred spaces reveal how faith and family reverence were central to daily life within the house.
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