Core77

Chinese mini-castles protected by UN

By Rain Noe - July 9, 2008

in Object Culture

(photo credit: Flickr user Aurorin)

Some 46 of China's tulou houses in Fujian province have been designated UN World Heritage sites, according to the Shanghai Daily. Tulou are essentially miniature circular castles, constructed from the 11th to 20th centuries, shared by entire clans; their circular shapes, single point of entry, and weapons portholes were designed to optimize defense.

The building usually consists of a rammed earth outer wall and internal wooden framework. Its unique structural form and ingenious interior design highlight the interdependent relations between clan members who lived inside and demonstrate the development of their lifestyle.

"It is unique Chinese architecture," said Huang Hanmin, chief architect with the Fujian Institute of Architectural Design and Research. Killer photos and schematics after the jump.

photos from: tembusu

photos from: Martin Tai and his Leica

images from: Jens Aaberg-Jorgensen/Architekten/China Dwelling

o

Favorite This
Q
1

Comment

Comments

adora

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Awesome! That's very near to my ancestral home. Actually they are surprisingly similar to buildings of that period in Italy.
They were built by Hakka people, who are not originally from the region. (Hakka means "guests") They were looked down and sometimes bullied by the local Fujianese, so they built these "fortress" to protect themselves. When you enter the court, you do feel intimidated. It is circular so outsiders would get lost easily. As it is a anti-theft mechanism.
!Report as spam