Fort Provintia

Fort Provintia

Fort Provintia is located in the West Central District of Tainan City, Taiwan. Originally built as a European-style structure named Fort Provintia (also known as the Red-Haired Tower) during the Dutch colonial period in 1653, it once served as the center of governance for the entire island. By the Qing Dynasty, it had largely collapsed, leaving only partial ruins. Later, the Han Chinese built traditional Chinese temples on the original site. After World War II, nine Bixi steles were relocated here from other places, eventually forming what it looks like today. The Fort Provintia we refer to now is actually a composite of the remnants of Fort Provintia, the Temple of the Sea God, and the Wenchang Pavilion. It is currently designated as a first-class historical site.

The relics and architecture of Fort Provintia have witnessed the eras of the Dutch, the Ming Zheng Kingdom, and the Qing Dynasty. Initially built around the year 1650, its construction materials were reportedly all shipped from overseas by the Dutch. Known as Fort Provintia, it was constructed by the Dutch following the Guo Huaiyi Rebellion, an uprising by the Han Chinese against Dutch rule. After Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong) captured Taiwan, he renamed Fort Provintia as Dongdu Chengtian Prefecture and used Fort Provintia as the highest administrative body for the entire island. It faces today’s Anping Fort across the Taijiang waters, holding significant historical and cultural value.