Lv Mansion

Lv Mansion

Lv Mansion is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Located at No. 169 Xinhelane, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, it was the residence of Lv ???, Minister of Rites during the Jiajing era (1522–1566) of the Ming Dynasty. The Lv Mansion is one of the well-preserved large-scale residential buildings from the late Ming Dynasty in Zhejiang, and another example is the former residence of the scholar Huang Zongxi. The mansion is dignified and complete, covering an area of 8 mu. There are thirteen halls facing south, hence it is also called "Lv Mansion Thirteen Halls." All buildings are arranged along three vertical axes and five horizontal axes. The central vertical axis consists of the sedan hall, Yong’en Hall, Third Hall, Fourth Hall, and Fifth Hall. The east and west vertical axes feature a memorial archway and four halls respectively. The fifth horizontal axis contains multi-story buildings, while the rest are single-story. The architectural complex is surrounded by water on the south, west, and north sides, with only the east side connected to the street via a flagstone path. This layout resembles the Zhu Family Village depicted in "Water Margin." For ease of access, there are two north-south “water lanes” and one east-west “horse lane.” Currently, only Yong’en Hall remains relatively intact. Originally the main hall, Yong’en Hall was where Lv ??? held ceremonies. It is the most significant building of the Lv Mansion, measuring 6.50 meters in height and 17 meters in depth, divided into seven bays. The painted decorations are vivid, the materials used are substantial, the structure is simple yet neat, and the style is plain yet majestic—making it a representative ancient Ming Dynasty building in downtown Shaoxing. Why seven bays? Historical research indicates this reflects the strict hierarchical system of the Ming Dynasty. It was mandated that official residences of first- to second-rank officials have seven bays. Lv ??? held the position of Grand Secretary, one of the five chief grand secretaries established after the abolition of the Chancellor and creation of the Cabinet in 1380. The hall houses two plaques: one bestowed by Emperor Shenzong in the 11th year of the Wanli era (1583), inscribed with “Virtue and Longevity,” and another erected by Lv ??? himself, inscribed “Yong’en Hall.”

Lv Mansion is located in Xinhelane, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, covering an area of 2 hectares, with 6,200 square meters of original Ming Dynasty structures still preserved. In the 11th year of the Wanli era (1583), the thirteen halls of Lv Mansion were completed. The buildings are arranged along three vertical axes and five horizontal axes: the central vertical axis includes the sedan hall, main hall, middle hall, rear hall, and residential tower; the east and west vertical axes each consist of a memorial archway, front hall, middle hall, rear hall, and residential tower. Locally, it is referred to as the "Lv Mansion Thirteen Halls." It is the largest residential complex of official-style Ming Dynasty architecture in the Jiangnan region. Its main hall, Yong’en Hall, has seven bays, uses a seven-rafter beam system, and follows a straight-beam structural style, making it the largest hall in the Jiangnan area.

On June 25, 2001, Lv Mansion was approved by the State Council as part of the fifth group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units as a Ming Dynasty ancient building.

The Republican-era "Shaoxing County Annals Materials" recorded: “Lv ??? built a residence for the Prime Minister in Yuyao, and later constructed another official residence in Shanyin, the prefectural capital.” The Yong’en Hall of Lv Mansion is this official residence of Lv ???.

Lv ??? (1503–1587), styled Ruli, also known as Nanqu and Qizhai, was a native of Yuyao in the Ming Dynasty. He passed the imperial examination in 1532 and was appointed Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion and Tutor to the Crown Prince in 1554, holding the rank of first class.

The main hall of Lv Mansion once displayed a plaque inscribed with “Virtue and Longevity,” signed “Erected on the auspicious day of July in the 11th year of the Wanli era (1583).” This indicates that Lv Mansion was built slightly before the 11th year of the Wanli era (1583) in the Ming Dynasty.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units