A Curved-Brick Well from the Song Dynasty

The Curved-Brick Well from the Song Dynasty

The Curved-Brick Well from the Song Dynasty is a cultural relic protection unit of Rugao City.

The Curved-Brick Well from the Song Dynasty

It is located in the courtyard of the Chen Residence at No. 77 Dongwangzhuang. According to the Continuation of the Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government by Bi Yuan, this well was dug during the Southern Song Dynasty when Yue Fei served as the Pacification Commissioner of Tongtai and used it to supply drinking water for his troops resisting the Jin invaders in Shizhuang. There were as many as thirteen such wells extending westward from here, most of which have since been abandoned and no longer yield water. This is a well from the Song Dynasty, with its wellhead, depth, and lining constructed from horizontally laid curved bricks. The bricks are interlocked with mortise-and-tenon joints, and there is no wooden well bottom. Today, this well still yields water and remains in use.