Tamsui Red House Introduction
Fort San Domingo, also known as the Tamsui Red Castle, derives its name from its colonial-style red brick architecture. It was constructed in 1895 and completed in 1899, undergoing several renovations and even being transformed into the Yellow Castle. However, after renovations by the current owners in 2000, it reverted to its red exterior and was converted into the Red Castle Restaurant. Although it is not officially designated as a historical site by the government, its construction and renovation history symbolize the prosperity of Tamsui during its golden era and witness the development of Tamsui over the past century. The Red Castle features arched brick corridors on three sides, making it a very beautiful building; at that time, only the consulate residence of Fort San Domingo could compare in scale. One of the owners was the renowned Taiwanese literati Hong Yi-nan, who named it "Daguan Lou" because from here, you can gaze out over Tamsui, with views from Guandu Port to Fort San Domingo and Tamsui Harbor, creating a sense of broad-mindedness. Many photographs of the ports and street scenes during the Japanese occupation were taken from this building. The Red Castle stands on the hillside of the old street, giving a sense of paradise beyond the world. The path from the old street to the Red Castle features a narrow stairway that is only about two people wide, reportedly consisting of 106 steps. If you're on the way to explore the Red Castle, you might want to verify this for yourself.
