Zhenhuai Tower

Zhenhuai Tower

Zhenhuai Tower is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

Zhenhuai Tower is an iconic landmark of Chuzhou City, originally built during the Song Dynasty. It was initially a tavern for the military command of Zhenjiang, and during the Ming Dynasty, a "bronze clepsydra" was installed here to mark the time. Later, due to its strategic location in the city and the archway beneath serving as a vital north-south thoroughfare, it earned the title "the North-South Nexus"; in the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed "Zhenhuai Tower," as the Huai River frequently flooded, and the name "Zhenhuai" was chosen for its meaning of suppressing water disasters. During the Republican era, it was renamed "Zhongshan Tower." After liberation, it was used to exhibit cultural relics unearthed in Huai'an.

Also known as the Drum Tower, Zhenhuai Tower is located five kilometers from the Yangtze River and faces Mǎ'ānshān's Caishi Rock across the river. The tower is rectangular, facing south with its back to the north. Its base is built with earth inside and bricks outside, measuring 55 meters in length from east to west, 21 meters in width from north to south, and 11 meters in height. At the center of the base, there is a north-south arched passageway. The upper part consists of two floors: the lower floor has three bays, surrounded by a sixteen-pillar corridor, with flying eaves supported by bracket sets. The upper floor features a pavilion with wooden paneling on all sides, also supported by flying eaves. The structure is richly carved and painted, with latticed windows, giving it an antique charm. Three stele inscriptions of the name "Zhenhuai Tower" in clerical script are embedded in the southern-facing gate tower.

There are various theories about the original construction date of Zhenhuai Tower. During a cultural relics survey in 1985, a poem stele from the 34th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1769 AD), left by Prefect Xu Yuan, was discovered on the west side of the tower. Based on the first line of the inscription—"Relics of the Song Ning left at Zhenjiang Pass"—it has been determined that the tower was built upon the foundation of the Song-era Zhenjiang Pass. Judging from the foundation stones of the four long pillars in the middle of the lower floor, ancient architectural experts have identified them as Song Dynasty wooden and stone components. This fully confirms that Zhenhuai Tower was built during the reign of Emperor Ningzong of the Southern Song Dynasty (1195–1224 AD), with the original purpose of militarily guarding this crucial pass along the Yangtze River.

In April 1982, Zhenhuai Tower was designated as a key cultural relic protection unit of the entire county by the He County People's Government. In July 1989, it was listed as a key cultural relic protection unit of the entire province by the Anhui Provincial People's Government.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units