This fort was built with Japan in mind. In 1874, Japan sent troops to southern Taiwan. The Qing court realized that the island had almost no defenses. The…
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This fort was built with Japan in mind.
In 1874, Japan sent troops to southern Taiwan. The Qing court realized that the island had almost no defenses. The official dispatched to remedy this was Shen Baozhen. South of Tainan, he decided to construct a Western-style fort.
The design is said to have come from a French engineer. It follows the European star-fort style — when viewed from above, it resembles a star. By having the corners jut outward, any approach from any direction would inevitably be met with fire from the side.
Please pause for a moment on the bridge over the moat, just past the gate. Looking around in every direction, you can see how the sharp corners project outward.
It is said that bricks from the ruins of Fort Zeelandia were brought here and used in construction. What the Dutch had laid two hundred and fifty years earlier, the Qing dynasty tore down and rebuilt, in preparation against Japan. [To be verified: historical sources regarding the reuse of materials from Fort Zeelandia]
Above the gate hangs a four-character inscription written by Shen Baozhen himself: Yi Zai Jin Cheng — "The Golden Castle That Endures for Ten Thousand Generations."
Twenty years after its completion, Japanese rule began. This fort was almost never fired upon by an enemy fleet.
It remains standing today precisely because its defenses were never needed.
