Former Residence of Xu Guangqi — Jiujianlou

Former Residence of Xu Guangqi — Jiujianlou

The Former Residence of Xu Guangqi — Jiujianlou is a protected cultural heritage site of Shanghai.

Jiujianlou (JiujianLou) is located at No. 234–244 Qiaojiay Road in Nanshi District. Originally the residence of Xu Guangqi, it was built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. It earned the name “Jiujianlou” (Nine-Room Building) because it had nine rooms on both the upper and lower floors. In the 36th year of the Wanli era (1608), the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci was invited by Xu Guangqi to Shanghai to preach and stayed here. The building has stood for over 300 years and is the only surviving Ming Dynasty residence in the area. Though it has undergone several renovations, it now has seven rooms on each floor and serves as residential housing. In 1983, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage protection site.

Xu Guangqi (April 24, 1562 – November 10, 1633) was a scientist, agronomist, and statesman in late Ming China, and one of the pioneers of East-West cultural exchange. His courtesy name was Zixian, his art name Xuanhu, and his Christian name Paul. An ethnic Han from Huating County, Songjiang Prefecture, Nanzhili (present-day Shanghai), he was a Catholic and regarded as the foremost of the “Three Pillars of Catholicism.” He passed the imperial examination in the 32nd year of the Wanli era (1604). Well-versed in astronomy and calendrical science, he also studied firearms. After converting to Catholicism, he engaged in academic discussions with the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci. In the 40th year of the Wanli era, he served as an official in charge of revising the calendar and collaborated with the missionary Sabatino de Ursis to create astronomical instruments such as celestial and terrestrial globes... Xu Guangqi’s detailed information++