Introduction
The Tainan Judicial Museum, formerly known as the Tainan District Court, is located at the intersection of Fuqian Road and Yongfu Road in the West Central District of Tainan City. Designated as a national second-class historic monument, it stands as one of Taiwan's most significant historical buildings from the Japanese colonial era.
Constructed in 1914, the building served as the courthouse directly under the jurisdiction of the Governor-General of Taiwan. Its architectural style is primarily Baroque, featuring a porch with a gable design supported by eight columns, with a central free-standing column on its base. This European-style architecture was quite rare in Taiwan at the time. During the final stages of World War II, Tainan City endured attacks that affected the building's appearance. Despite restorations aiming to return it to its original state, issues like significant roof leaks persisted, leading to the loss of features such as the western tower's arched dome.
Currently, the building is no longer used for judicial purposes, and its interior is closed to the public during ongoing renovations. However, many visitors continue to admire and photograph its exterior, appreciating its status as Taiwan's oldest surviving courthouse from the colonial period. Its classical and grand appearance also makes it a popular location for wedding photography, further cementing its place as a must-visit spot in Tainan.
