該(gai)建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)白色古羅(luo)馬風(feng)格,是近代(dai)流(liu)傳(chuan)到中(zhong)國(guo)的(de)(de)歐洲(zhou)新古典主(zhu)義建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)的(de)(de)典型建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)。1914年奠(dian)基(ji),由海關總稅務(wu)司(si)署英(ying)(ying)籍總工程(cheng)師(shi)大(da)衛·迪克(David C Dick)規劃,英(ying)(ying)國(guo)皇家建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)師(shi)阿諾(nuo)特·查爾(er)斯·達德利(li)(C. D Arnott)設計,華昌工程(cheng)公司(si)承,于公元1916年6月建(jian)(jian)(jian)成(cheng)。大(da)樓(lou)(lou)坐北向南(nan),四(si)層(ceng),連鐘(zhong)(zhong)樓(lou)(lou)總高31.85米,建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)面(mian)(mian)(mian)積4044平(ping)方米,鋼筋混凝(ning)土框架結構。東南(nan)立(li)(li)面(mian)(mian)(mian)用花(hua)崗石(shi)(shi)砌筑(zhu)(zhu),西北立(li)(li)面(mian)(mian)(mian)砌紅(hong)磚墻,整體鋼筋水泥結構,以(yi)(yi)大(da)塊麻(ma)石(shi)(shi)作(zuo)基(ji)礎。首層(ceng)為基(ji)座(zuo)形(xing)(xing)(xing)式(shi),用大(da)理條(tiao)石(shi)(shi)砌筑(zhu)(zhu),使上(shang)(shang)層(ceng)光滑的(de)(de)圓柱(zhu)(zhu)和(he)飾以(yi)(yi)花(hua)餅的(de)(de)欄桿(gan)形(xing)(xing)(xing)成(cheng)對比。正面(mian)(mian)(mian)外墻以(yi)(yi)花(hua)崗巖(yan)圓柱(zhu)(zhu)與條(tiao)石(shi)(shi)鑲砌,正面(mian)(mian)(mian)和(he)東側柱(zhu)(zhu)廊(lang)全部(bu)雙柱(zhu)(zhu),仿(fang)羅(luo)馬愛奧(ao)尼式(shi)巨(ju)柱(zhu)(zhu)通貫二(er)三層(ceng),四(si)層(ceng)為羅(luo)馬塔(ta)司(si)干柱(zhu)(zhu)式(shi)。各室(shi)高大(da)寬敞,光線柔和(he)并配有(you)壁(bi)爐,門(men)窗頂(ding)(ding)部(bu)略呈(cheng)平(ping)緩的(de)(de)拱(gong)形(xing)(xing)(xing),高大(da)黑色柚木(mu)窗、木(mu)門(men),木(mu)門(men)中(zhong)間還有(you)兩扇小門(men)。走廊(lang)鋪設著細(xi)致講究的(de)(de)花(hua)階磚地板、彩瓷磚墻裙。頂(ding)(ding)筑(zhu)(zhu)巴洛克風(feng)格穹隆(long)頂(ding)(ding)的(de)(de)鐘(zhong)(zhong)樓(lou)(lou),四(si)面(mian)(mian)(mian)各砌塔(ta)司(si)桿(gan)雙柱(zhu)(zhu),高13米,建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)面(mian)(mian)(mian)積62平(ping)方米。分(fen)為兩層(ceng):下為鐘(zhong)(zhong)室(shi),內有(you)不同口徑(jing)的(de)(de)銅制(zhi)吊鐘(zhong)(zhong)5座(zuo),為1915年英(ying)(ying)國(guo)制(zhi)造;上(shang)(shang)為鐘(zhong)(zhong)機房,里(li)面(mian)(mian)(mian)安放有(you)目前全國(guo)罕(han)見的(de)(de)、保存完好的(de)(de)英(ying)(ying)制(zhi)全機械傳(chuan)動式(shi)立(li)(li)鐘(zhong)(zhong)。鐘(zhong)(zhong)樓(lou)(lou)四(si)面(mian)(mian)(mian)各有(you)直徑(jing)2.5米的(de)(de)外向圓鐘(zhong)(zhong)面(mian)(mian)(mian),晝夜通明,可24小時奏樂報時,傳(chuan)聲甚遠。整個建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)建(jian)(jian)(jian)成(cheng)共(gong)花(hua)了21萬銀兩。門(men)頂(ding)(ding)原(yuan)刻“粵海關”三字(zi),1949年后曾為“廣州海關”4個金字(zi)代(dai)替,2007年恢復原(yuan)狀。
1684年(清(qing)康(kang)熙(xi)二(er)十三(san)年)清(qing)政府開放海(hai)(hai)禁,設粵(在(zai)廣州)、閩(在(zai)廈門)、江(在(zai)云(yun)(yun)臺山,今連云(yun)(yun)港附近)、浙(在(zai)寧(ning)波(bo))四個海(hai)(hai)關(guan)。1757年(乾隆二(er)十二(er)年)關(guan)閉廈門、云(yun)(yun)臺山、寧(ning)波(bo)三(san)個海(hai)(hai)關(guan),僅留(liu)廣州一(yi)口對(dui)外貿易,粵海(hai)(hai)關(guan)遂居重(zhong)要地位。清(qing)朝皇帝派遣“監督”管(guan)理粵海(hai)(hai)關(guan)事(shi)務,以滿族親貴充任,具有與總督、巡撫平行(xing)而(er)班次略后的官階。
鴉(ya)片戰(zhan)爭前,粵(yue)海(hai)關并不(bu)直(zhi)接(jie)(jie)管(guan)理來粵(yue)貿(mao)易的外(wai)(wai)國(guo)商人,而(er)是通過特許商行——十(shi)三(san)行進行管(guan)理。鴉(ya)片戰(zhan)爭后,十(shi)三(san)行壟斷對外(wai)(wai)貿(mao)易的制(zhi)度被廢除(chu),粵(yue)海(hai)關開始直(zhi)接(jie)(jie)插手外(wai)(wai)貿(mao)管(guan)理。
第二次(ci)鴉片戰爭(zheng)時,英國(guo)攫(jue)取了中國(guo)海關(guan)管(guan)理權。1859年(nian)(咸豐(feng)九年(nian))10月,海關(guan)總稅務司英國(guo)人李泰國(guo)攫(jue)奪粵海關(guan)行政(zheng)權,從此粵海關(guan)一(yi)直為(wei)帝國(guo)主義(yi)所把持,直到廣州(zhou)解(jie)放。
1931年6月1日,粵(yue)海(hai)五十里外常(chang)關(guan)改轄于海(hai)關(guan)機構,稱(cheng)分(fen)卡或分(fen)關(guan),統歸粵(yue)海(hai)關(guan)稅務司署(簡稱(cheng)粵(yue)海(hai)關(guan))管理(li),至此原來(lai)由粵(yue)海(hai)關(guan)監督管理(li)的常(chang)關(guan)退出歷史舞臺(tai)。
1949年(nian)10月14日(ri)廣州解(jie)放,1950年(nian)1月31日(ri),粵海(hai)關(guan)稅務(wu)司署(shu)改稱“中(zhong)華(hua)人民(min)共和國廣州海(hai)關(guan)”,直屬(shu)于(yu)中(zhong)央人民(min)政府海(hai)關(guan)總署(shu)。
2016年(nian)是(shi)“大鐘樓”建(jian)(jian)成100周年(nian),粵(yue)(yue)海關(guan)(guan)舊址是(shi)繼北(bei)京(jing)中國(guo)海關(guan)(guan)博(bo)物(wu)(wu)館(guan)后第二個,也是(shi)直屬海關(guan)(guan)第一個國(guo)有博(bo)物(wu)(wu)館(guan)-粵(yue)(yue)海關(guan)(guan)博(bo)物(wu)(wu)館(guan),于2015年(nian)12月(yue)28日通過廣東省文(wen)(wen)物(wu)(wu)局備案(an)登(deng)記。主要(yao)進(jin)行與粵(yue)(yue)海關(guan)(guan)相關(guan)(guan)文(wen)(wen)物(wu)(wu)藏品的征集收藏、文(wen)(wen)物(wu)(wu)建(jian)(jian)筑保護、陳列展示以及開展學(xue)術研究、社(she)會教(jiao)育(yu)、文(wen)(wen)化(hua)交(jiao)流、文(wen)(wen)創產(chan)品開發(fa)等,深入挖掘粵(yue)(yue)海關(guan)(guan)歷(li)史文(wen)(wen)化(hua)內(nei)涵(han),彰顯(xian)海關(guan)(guan)工作對(dui)于促進(jin)對(dui)外經(jing)濟(ji)貿易的重要(yao)作用。
粵(yue)海(hai)關(guan)(guan)(guan)設立于(yu)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)元(yuan)1685年(nian)(nian)(nian)(清康熙二(er)十(shi)四(si)年(nian)(nian)(nian)),是(shi)中國早設立的(de)海(hai)關(guan)(guan)(guan)之一,公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)元(yuan)1860年(nian)(nian)(nian)(咸豐十(shi)年(nian)(nian)(nian))粵(yue)海(hai)關(guan)(guan)(guan)稅務司在(zai)該(gai)建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)關(guan)(guan)(guan)址正(zheng)式(shi)建(jian)(jian)立公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)署。原樓(lou)于(yu)1913年(nian)(nian)(nian)拆除,公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)元(yuan)1914年(nian)(nian)(nian)(民(min)國三年(nian)(nian)(nian))粵(yue)海(hai)關(guan)(guan)(guan)大(da)樓(lou)工(gong)程(cheng)在(zai)現址奠基,由英國建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)師戴衛(wei)德·迪克(David Dick)設計,仿照歐洲古典建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)形式(shi)設計,華(hua)昌工(gong)程(cheng)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)司承建(jian)(jian),于(yu)1916年(nian)(nian)(nian)5月(yue)竣工(gong)。1925年(nian)(nian)(nian)4月(yue)建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)照片送“美國建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)技術(shu)賽會(hui)”陳列展(zhan)出。2006年(nian)(nian)(nian)9月(yue)12日,廣(guang)州海(hai)關(guan)(guan)(guan)辦公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)地點正(zheng)式(shi)撤出已(yi)經使用了91年(nian)(nian)(nian)的(de)粵(yue)海(hai)關(guan)(guan)(guan)大(da)樓(lou),遷(qian)往天河修(xiu)復前的(de)粵(yue)海(hai)關(guan)(guan)(guan)大(da)門上方(fang)的(de)“廣(guang)州海(hai)關(guan)(guan)(guan)”四(si)字區珠江新城。海(hai)關(guan)(guan)(guan)總署于(yu)2007年(nian)(nian)(nian)2月(yue)批復,原廣(guang)州海(hai)關(guan)(guan)(guan)的(de)“大(da)鐘樓(lou)”將(jiang)建(jian)(jian)設為中國海(hai)關(guan)(guan)(guan)博物館(guan)分館(guan)。2007年(nian)(nian)(nian)8月(yue)完成(cheng)恢(hui)復其舊貌,保(bao)養維護工(gong)程(cheng)。海(hai)關(guan)(guan)(guan)博物館(guan)則在(zai)同年(nian)(nian)(nian)12月(yue)28日布置完成(cheng)并適時對公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)眾開放(fang)。
粵海關(guan)舊(jiu)址是中國內地海關(guan)博物(wu)(wu)館(guan)。粵海關(guan)舊(jiu)址于(yu)2007年(nian)12月(yue)28日(ri)(ri)完成(cheng)館(guan)內布置,每逢周(zhou)一、三、五(wu),接(jie)受機關(guan)、學(xue)校、企事業單位等社會(hui)團(tuan)(tuan)體的預(yu)(yu)約(yue)參(can)(can)(can)(can)觀(guan)。2009年(nian)9月(yue)20日(ri)(ri)和28日(ri)(ri),曾對(dui)社會(hui)公(gong)眾試行開放(fang)2天;從(cong)2010年(nian)1月(yue)13日(ri)(ri)起(qi),改為每逢周(zhou)三對(dui)社會(hui)公(gong)眾免(mian)(mian)費開放(fang),開放(fang)時間為上午9:30至下午4:00,市(shi)民(min)憑(ping)身份(fen)證等有效證件(jian)可領(ling)票(piao)免(mian)(mian)費進場,參(can)(can)(can)(can)觀(guan)1至4層的博物(wu)(wu)館(guan)展室,屋頂(ding)及其上面的鐘樓則不開放(fang),每日(ri)(ri)參(can)(can)(can)(can)觀(guan)人(ren)數限(xian)于(yu)800人(ren);從(cong)2011年(nian)1月(yue)開始,博物(wu)(wu)館(guan)再次縮減開放(fang)時間,只限(xian)在每個月(yue)第三周(zhou)的周(zhou)三向(xiang)個人(ren)開放(fang)參(can)(can)(can)(can)觀(guan),維持憑(ping)證件(jian)免(mian)(mian)費領(ling)票(piao)的安(an)排,開放(fang)時間為上午9:30至下午4:00,社會(hui)團(tuan)(tuan)體憑(ping)單位公(gong)函仍(reng)可在每周(zhou)一、三、五(wu)預(yu)(yu)約(yue)集(ji)體參(can)(can)(can)(can)觀(guan)。
粵海關舊址的大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)曾每隔15分鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)響一次(ci)音樂(le),上世(shi)紀(ji)80年(nian)代后期,考慮到大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)報時(shi)(shi)聲(sheng)和鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)聲(sheng)會影響周圍居民(min)休(xiu)息,海關應市民(min)要求最終還(huan)是停止了鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)聲(sheng)和音樂(le)報時(shi)(shi)。樓(lou)頂機械大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)近年(nian),由于(yu)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)運行時(shi)(shi)間(jian)太長及零(ling)部件磨損嚴重(zhong),導致大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)時(shi)(shi)間(jian)出現較(jiao)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)誤差,為(wei)此曾對大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)進行過兩次(ci)維修以恢復(fu)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)走時(shi)(shi)的準確性。2016年(nian)1月1日起,大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)樓(lou)早晚8點(dian)恢復(fu)敲(qiao)鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。