Fort San Domingo
Northern Taiwan Region
Fort San Domingo, located in Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan, is a historic fortress originally built by the Spanish in 1628 during their brief colonial period in northern Taiwan. The Spanish named it Santísima Trinidad and later Fort Santo Domingo, establishing it as a strategic military and missionary base. After the Spanish were ousted in 1642, the Dutch rebuilt and expanded the fort in 1644, naming it Fort Antonio, which locals referred to as "Red Hair Castle" due to the Dutch being called "red-haired barbarians." The fort underwent several renovations during the Qing dynasty and was leased to the British in 1868, serving as the British consulate until 1972. Architecturally, the fort combines Spanish, Dutch, and British colonial styles, featuring red brick walls, battlements, and a two-story consular residence. Today, it is one of the oldest surviving colonial buildings in Taiwan, symbolizing the island's complex colonial history and cultural interactions, and is a popular tourist attraction managed by the New Taipei City Tamsui Historical Museum.
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Astuce: The best time to visit Fort San Domingo is during the cooler months from October to April to avoid Taiwan's hot and humid summer. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance during weekends and holidays due to high visitor numbers. Guided tours are available and recommended to fully appreciate the fort's historical context. Discounts may be available for students, seniors, and groups. The site is accessible by public transport from Taipei and offers informative exhibits on-site.
Faits intéressants
- •The fort was originally built by the Spanish in 1628 and later rebuilt by the Dutch in 1644 on the same site.
- •Locals called the fort "Red Hair Castle" because "red hair" was a nickname for the Dutch during the colonial period.
- •The British used the fort as their consulate from 1868 until 1972, making it one of the longest foreign diplomatic presences in Taiwan.
- •The fort’s architecture reflects a blend of Spanish, Dutch, and British colonial styles.
- •The fort survived a French bombardment during the Sino-French War in 1884 without damage.
Histoire
Fort San Domingo was first established by the Spanish in 1628 as part of their effort to control northern Taiwan and counter Dutch influence in the region.
After the Spanish withdrawal in 1642, the Dutch East India Company rebuilt the fort in 1644, naming it Fort Antonio.
The fort later came under Qing dynasty control, who repaired and expanded it in the 18th century.
In 1868, the British leased the fort as their consulate, maintaining it until 1972 when diplomatic relations changed.
The fort was designated a national historic site of Taiwan in the 1980s and has since been restored and opened to the public.
Guide du lieu
Main Fortress1628 (Spanish), 1644 (Dutch reconstruction)
The central structure of Fort San Domingo, originally built by the Spanish and rebuilt by the Dutch, featuring thick red brick walls, battlements, and cannons. It served as the military stronghold and defense point controlling the Tamsui River.
British Consulate Residence1891
A two-story red brick building adjacent to the main fort, constructed by the British in 1891 to serve as the consular residence. It features Western-style architecture with a balcony overlooking the river and gardens.
South Gate (Chinese Style Gate)1724
The only remaining Chinese-style gate of the fort complex, built during Qing dynasty renovations in the 18th century using local stone materials. It features traditional Chinese defensive architectural elements such as battlements.
Contact
Téléphone: 02 2623 1001