Taipei Prison Wall Remains

The city-designated historic site 'Taipei Prison Wall Remains' is located along the wall adjacent to the telecommunications office on Jinshan South Road in Daan District. It was initially constructed around the 1910s during the Japanese colonial period. At that time, anti-Japanese resistance forces continuously rose up across Taiwan. The Japanese rulers therefore built large-scale prisons in Taipei and Tainan, with Taipei Prison serving as a tangible witness to Taiwan's modern correctional history. Today, only a few high walls on its northern and southern sides remain, but they still evoke a somber and grim atmosphere. The layout of Taipei Prison was radial, a trend in prisons worldwide during the 19th century. Its surroundings were enclosed by high walls. Most of the stone materials used were sourced from the Taipei Prefectural City Wall, which was demolished in the 1910s, primarily consisting of andesite and Qilian stone. These were the materials originally transported from quarries near Dazhi and Neihu during the Guangxu era of the late Qing Dynasty to build the Taipei Prefectural City. They were first moved from the mountains to the Keelung River bank, then transported by boat via the Tamsui River to Hegoutou Pier. Viewed today, it also possesses profound historical and heritage value.