For the first time ever in Taiwan, this weekend all major historical sites throughout the country, including those usually closed to the public, will be open to visitors, free of charge.
On Saturday and Sunday the public will be able to visit historical monuments, architectural sites, art galleries, museums and the Presidential Office as part of the international Heritage Days.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
The event, held each year on the third weekend of September, was first initiated by France's Ministry of Culture and Communication in 1984 and has since been adopted in many countries across Europe.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
According to Tchen Yu-chiou (
Saturday will also mark the Hu-wei Fortress Historic Site Day (
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
Tamsui, at the mouth of the Tamsui River, was guarded by Hu-wei Fortress beginning about 300 years ago, when Taiwan emerged as a key hub in emerging international trade. First established by the Spanish, the strategic location was the site of conflicts between colonial powers seeking to gain a foothold on the sea lanes which pass Taiwan.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
In Taipei, the public will be able to visit the Presidential Office, the Control Yuan (
The nationwide open house will involve more than 300 historic sites around Taiwan and on its outer islands. For more information on the sites and their opening hours, check with county or city cultural bureaus at the numbers provided at right.
County and city culture bureaus
● Taipei County: (02) 2253-4412
● Taipei City: (02) 2345-1556
● Keelung City: (02) 2422-4170
● Taoyuan County: (03) 332-2592
● Hsinchu County: (03) 551-0201
● Hsinchu City: (03) 531-9756
● Miaoli County: (03) 735-2961
● Taichung County: (04) 628-0166
● Taichung City: (04) 372-7311
● Changhua County: (04) 725-0057
● Nantou County: (04) 923-1191
● Yunlin County: (05) 532-7613
● Chiayi County: (05) 379-9978
● Chiayi City: (05) 278-8225
● Tainan County: (06) 632-4116
● Tainan City: (06) 390-1016
● Kaohsiung County: (07) 626-2620
● Kaohsiung City: (07) 222-5136
● Pingtung County: (08) 736-0331
● Taitung County: (08) 932-0378
● Ilan County: (03) 932-2440
● Hualien County: (03)8227121
● Penghu County: (06) 926-1141
● Matsu: (08) 362-2393
● Kinmen: (08) 2328638
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