Experience the Grandeur of a World-Class Historical Site in Taiwan: Fort San Domingo

By MOOK Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 
Located at the final stop of the Red Line MRT, Fort San Domingo is one of the most iconic historical sites in Tamsui. Originally built by the Spanish in 1629, it has successively served as a military facility under the control of Spain, the Netherlands, China, Britain, Japan, and Taiwan. During the period when the Dutch governed Taiwan, locals referred to this place as the “Red-Haired” Fort, because the Dutch were known for their relatively red hair color, which led to them being called “red-haired” (红毛), and hence the name of the building.

The building originally constructed by the Spanish was made of wood. In 1642, when the Dutch captured the fortress, they destroyed the existing structure and four years later, rebuilt a castle — which is the current Fort San Domingo.

Perched atop a hill, Fort San Domingo has, since 1980, been managed by the Tamsui Historic Site Museum. The museum displays war-related artifacts and antique cannons themed around past warfare. Visitors to Fort San Domingo can also enjoy beautiful views of the Tamsui River, Guanyin Mountain, and the Taiwan Strait.