Fort Zeelandia: An Historic Military Fortress in the East Indies
Fort Zeelandia is a historic military fortress located in the East Indies. It was built between 1624 and 1634 by the Dutch East India Company to protect their trading interests in the region. The fort is located in the city of Tainan in Taiwan and is the oldest surviving European-built structure in the country.
Fort Zeelandia is an important site in the history of Taiwan and is an interesting place to visit. The fort is still standing today and has been preserved as a national historic site. Here is an overview of what you can expect when you visit Fort Zeelandia.
History of Fort Zeelandia
Fort Zeelandia was built by the Dutch East India Company in order to secure their trading interests in the East Indies. Construction of the fort began in 1624 and was completed in 1634. The fort was originally named Fort Provintia and was the first Dutch-built fort in Taiwan.
The fort was of strategic importance to the Dutch as it was the only trading post in the East Indies that had access to the Pacific Ocean. The fort was also used to protect Dutch trading interests in the region.
Fort Zeelandia was a major military base and was used in several conflicts between the Dutch and the Chinese. In 1662, the fort was attacked and captured by the Chinese, who renamed it Anping.
The fort was later recaptured by the Dutch in 1683 and renamed Fort Zeelandia. The fort was used by the Dutch until 1686 when they abandoned the fort and left Taiwan.
Architecture of Fort Zeelandia
Fort Zeelandia is an impressive structure and is the oldest surviving European-built structure in Taiwan. The fort is built in the shape of a five-pointed star and is surrounded by a moat.
The fort is made up of several buildings, including a command house, barracks, powder magazine, and a church. The fort also has a watchtower, which was used to keep an eye out for approaching enemies.
Visiting Fort Zeelandia
Fort Zeelandia is open to the public and can be visited throughout the year. The fort is located in the city of Tainan and can be easily reached by bus or taxi.
Once at the fort, visitors can explore the various buildings and see the impressive architecture of the fort. There is also a museum inside the fort which showcases the history of the fort and the Dutch occupation of Taiwan.
The fort is an impressive structure and is a great place to visit if you are interested in the history of Taiwan. The fort is open daily from 9am to 5pm and the entrance fee is NT$ 30 (approximately US$ 1).
Conclusion
Fort Zeelandia is an historic military fortress located in Tainan, Taiwan. It was built by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century and is the oldest surviving European-built structure in Taiwan. The fort is an interesting place to visit and offers a glimpse into the history of Taiwan.