An italian place to discover in Shaoguan

Based on the textual descriptions reported in the testimonies of the most famous Italian missionary in China, the Jesuit Matteo Ricci, the conformation of what his residence in the Chinese city of Shaoguan could have been like is analyzed. Having built his first home on Chinese soil in the city of Zhaoqing, which was taken from him by the local Governor as it was a unique and representative work, Ricci built his second Chinese home in a local style so as not to see it also taken away this second home. The study focuses both on the possible location and on the form taken by the house built by Ricci for himself and for the other missionary who accompanies him, as well as to establish a school there. The result of the study offers useful indications for understanding the forms of adaptation to the local culture also from an architectural perspective. These values were taken up again a few centuries later when the Apostolic Delegate for China Celso Costantini indicated the use of a local architectural style when works were to be carried out at the service of the Catholic religion. Thus, through the work of Matteo Ricci, we understand how architecture also plays an important role in communication between peoples.