Fort San Domingo Introduction
The Octagonal Tower was completed in 1925 and serves as the spiritual fortress of Tamkang Senior High School, representing the architecture of the Mackay era. Originally named the "Tower of Faith, Hope, and Love," it was designed by Mr. K. Doawie, a mathematics teacher and missionary at the time. The architectural style is inspired by famous schools in the UK and the US, integrating Western and Chinese elements while also incorporating local Taiwanese architectural features. The layout follows the traditional Sanheyuan (three-court) style. Standing 60 feet tall, the main tower is flanked by two-story wings, with classrooms sequentially decreasing in height along the two wings. The front classrooms are capped with wing towers and are complemented by a balcony, with corridors in the two wings. The three towers surround a lush front yard, which is accessed via Coconut Palm Avenue leading to the main entrance. The main entrance features a Guanyin stone as its lintel, intricately carved with designs of sparrows and lanterns to highlight the Chinese aesthetic. Above the lintel of the Octagonal Tower, there is the inscription "Faith, Hope, Love" in seal script by Wu Ting-fang, which was the motto at the time of the school's founding. The lintel originally bore the calligraphy “Tamshui Junior High School,” but during Japanese rule, it was re-carved as “Private Tamshui Junior High School.” Two rows of Alexander palms were planted in the passageway in front of the entrance, and an additional second story was added to the east wing. After the merger of the male and female schools in 1956, a second story was also added to the west wing, resulting in its current appearance. This charming building not only cultivated a refined academic atmosphere for Tamkang Senior High School but also provided an inspiring environment for fostering cultural qualities. It has also become a romantic filming location for various movies and advertisements today. A friendly reminder: If the public wishes to visit, please make a reservation on the official website of Tamkang Senior High School beforehand!
