Rixia Avenue

Rixia Avenue is one of the most prestigious parts of the Citadel ring roads, which runs for some 2.8 kilometers north of partly demolished city walls. It is also the longest among seven sections of ring roads.

## Development

The present city wall was mainly constructed between 1598-1605 A.E. and 1748-53A.E., when Zhai Ke, Emperor Shun of later Wei dynasty, moved the capital here. It lost importance after 1800A.E. and fell into disrepair during the first empire.

Emperor Zhengwei I showed much hesitation in demolishing the city walls, worrying about the consequent impact. Later in his reign, after the surrounding area had been densely populated, prime ministers Xiao Gongdu (2100-03) and Mariano Spinola Pallavicini (2103-06) ordered the destruction of city walls except for city gates and its surroundings as roundabouts. Creation of a boulevard actually had already started since early 2000s, but not until 2101 had it have a proper plan, and the fund was created in June 2101. People who had their home built around the district donated generously to it. in 2103 the blocks north of old city wall was separated from old Gongcheng district (Regal district, 宫城区), and was named Rixia district (日下区，"under the sun"). Finally finished in 2110, during Zhengwei II's coronation, it was ceremoniously opened. Zhengwei II, a calligrapher himself, wrote the new boulevards' names.

The Rixia section developed quickly, and in 2110-20 it went into a further expansion, with few interruptions, and finished in 2121. Prime minister Chen Maorong and his wife, Princess Zheng Tai, received an allegorical key from Bernhard Becker, mayor (2120-23) of Citadel on May 29.

Little expansions were further carried out through 2150-80.

## Important structures

### Jingzhao Park (2-8)

It is originally named Diecui Garden（叠翠园）, as a private garden and villa of Count Huang Zhenshou. His great-grandson, Huang Jingming, donated it in 2105, while retaining the family house. It was enlarged during 2108-11, and re-named Jingzhao Park（静照园）in 2140.

### National Bank (20-26/28)

Built on the demolished villa of Xu Zunqing in 2108-13, the plan is mainly designed by Ferdinand Drouet, and the lower part is built of mighty rusticated stones. The higher part consists of fine portals and cornices, which give the building a more elegant character. After the reorganization of the bank in 2169-71, it was enlarged greatly.

### Serra Palace (83-91)

Commissioned by banker Niccolo Serra (2054-2110), it is a five-storied palace with elegant white-and-yellow decoration, however when visitors come into the courtyard, they will see the XVI century fountain and their magnificent shell-shaped stair. The stair is a masterpiece by Raniero Santobuono. The family enlarged the palace when they bought two smaller houses behind it in 2160. The Serra family came from Ostino, where they practiced banking and have the title of marquis. They entered the central fiscal system in 2090s and was granted the title of duke in 2108. Another branch of the family, bearing the title of marquis, descends from Niccolo's younger brother Agostino, and lived in this palace until 2168, when they split the palace behind into their own. This family has a widely acclaimed collection of art, which is still kept in the family.

### Artaud Palace (86-90)

It is not an imposing one but has a fine pediment with two angels holding the family crest, one clerical and one laical: it was to commemorate Henri Artaud, prime minister 2106-08, and Henri-Francois Artaud, archbishop of Citadel 2127-37. The family has a vast collection of scenery paintings.

### Xu Palace and Mansion (92-100)

An interesting context in 2130 survives which reported the mansion of Xu family arose much jealousy. It is built on the grounds of their much earlier house, in a "neo-central" manner, and was considered successful. The family branch, descended from Xu Tuisi (1967-2055), astonishingly lived under the same roof: it consisted of three cadet branches as of in 2170, and some 30 people.