Ruins of Jiaoshan Fort

Ruins of Jiaoshan Fort

The ruins of Jiaoshan Fort are a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Jiangsu Province.

The ruins of Jiaoshan Fort are located at the northeast corner of Jiaoshan Mountain. Entering from the south, the first thing you see is a gatehouse with a horizontal plaque inscribed with the four characters “Jiaoshan Fort.” To the west of the gatehouse is an ammunition depot, with an outer layer made of yellow mud and lime materials, and an inner layer of cement and gravel. Inside the gatehouse is a flat area of about 3,000 square meters. To the east of the flat area is the base of the fort, which is approximately 80 meters long and about 55 meters wide, shaped like a fan. It features eight casemate-style gun emplacements with stone foundations and walls made of yellow mud and lime. The fort has fallen into severe disrepair. Since 1978, the state has allocated funds for multiple renovations. Currently, gun emplacements No. 4 and No. 5 have been restored, and six barracks rooms with one lean-to have been rebuilt.

Regarding the construction date of Jiaoshan Fort, there are two academic viewpoints: one suggests it was built in the 20th year of the Daoguang reign (1840), while the other posits it was constructed in the 13th year of the Tongzhi reign (1874). If the former is correct, then the fort participated in the resistance against the British; if the latter is true, it did not, meaning it is a different fort.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites Protected in Jiangsu Province