Su Zhou Lian Ancestral Hall

This centennial ancestral hall in Chiayi is the earliest established ancestral hall still existing in Chiayi City. It has served for ancestor worship and clan gatherings for the Su family in the greater Chiayi area for over a hundred years, possessing research value for the history of clan development. It continuously maintains ancestral worship activities throughout the year, inspiring clan members to remember their origins and trace their roots, thus holding deep cultural significance. There is a folk saying: "Half of Chiayi City is the Su family." Su family members Su Xiao-de and Su Yu-qi once served as district chiefs of Chiayi and established the renowned Meiji Trading Company, closely linked to Chiayi City's political, economic, and cultural development. To advocate for honoring ancestors and revering the clan, this ancestral hall was established at the beginning of the Japanese colonial period, evolving from the Su family temple into a joint ancestral hall for the three surnames Su, Zhou, and Lian. Inside, the ancestral tablets of Su, Zhou, and Lian are enshrined, along with 31 ancestral tablets of Su family ancestors who passed the imperial examinations (jinshi) and received official titles, as well as a special ancestral tablet for Weng Gong Zu, the Su family's life-saving benefactor. This building is an example of a luxurious private residence converted into an ancestral hall. It is of traditional Southern Min (Minnan) style with a well-preserved layout. The entire building features five bays, a single-entrance sanheyuan (three-sided courtyard) style, and the central hall was constructed without a single nail or iron. The wooden carvings and paintings on the lintels are exquisite, and the opening design of the wooden windows is unique. It features a porch and a chuan-dou style (pier-and-beam) roof truss. Under the eaves, the hanging columns are interconnected by bow-shaped square beams. Between the beams and purlins, each bay has two sets of douzuocao (decorative brackets), which is relatively rare. All craftsmanship is exquisite and delicate, possessing artistic value. Historical Notes: In 1896, Su family ancestors raised funds to purchase a used house, which was renovated to serve as the Su family temple. In 1958 (47th year of the Republic of China), it was renamed the Su Zhou Lian Ancestral Hall.