FORT ZEELANDIA

Called Zeelandia Fort by the Dutch, Anping Fort - formerly known as Tainan - was built between 1624 and 1634 with stones from Java fixed with a mixture of glutinous rice, cane sugar syrup and crushed shells, but the layout followed the Dutch architectural codes of the time. The investment was made possible by the low cost of the land, bought from the Aborigines for a few pieces of cowhide and fabrics. With its two levels of fortifications and its bastion, its dominant position on the sea, the Zeelandia fort has long appeared impregnable. It took Koxinga a lot of effort and a long siege of nine months to break through its defences. 25,000 Chinese soldiers and 400 warships will have been necessary for General Ming so that the Dutch garrison of only 2,000 men will have finally given up their arms. The capture of Zeelandia Fort marks the end of 38 years of colonial rule imposed by the Dutch East India Company. Today only one of the original walls is standing. Under Japanese occupation, the walls that had stood the test of time were used as the foundation for the construction of a three-step structure, on which the central building rests. In colonial style, it served as a reception area for the Japanese governor; today it contains a small museum with objects and illustrations from that period. Behind the fort, a tower that can be climbed overlooks the city and the ocean.