Fort San Domingo (New Taipei City Tamshui Historical Museum) Introduction
Standing for over 300 years in Tamsui, Fort San Domingo is characterized by its striking crimson exterior. The park features buildings from the Spanish era, Qing dynasty, and Japanese occupation, making it one of Taiwan's oldest surviving structures. The fort was originally established in 1628 by the Spanish, who ruled northern Taiwan at the time, and was named "Fort San Domingo." However, Fort San Domingo was later destroyed, and in 1644, the Dutch rebuilt it near the original site and renamed it "Fort Anthonio." The local Han Chinese referred to the Dutch as "Red-haired people," hence the name "Fort San Domingo." In 1724, Wang Hsien, the Tamsui deputy magistrate, began renovations on the fort, adding four outer gates. After 1867, the British government began renting Fort San Domingo for use as a consulate, alongside which a consular residence was built. Having gone through the reigns of the Spanish, Dutch, Zheng Chenggong, Qing dynasty, and control by British, American, and Australian authorities, it serves as a living testament to Taiwan's history. The Fort San Domingo historic area, which opened for public visits at the end of 1984, includes the castle-like main fort, the Western-style consular residence, and the South Gate from the Qing dynasty. Its architecture serves multiple functions, including military defense, consular office, and prison. Walking along the arched corridor to the front plaza of Fort San Domingo, visitors can gaze out at the scenery of the Tamsui River and Guanyin Mountain. One of Tamsui's Eight Scenic Views, "Sunset at Guard Station," is located here, and the beauty of the sunset is not to be missed.
