Formosa española
3,879 views · Published 6 November 2009 · 3:26 · Indexed 1 October 2026
Channel: tercioss · 2009 · Education
Spanish Formosa was a Spanish colony established in the north of Taiwan (then known as Formosa) from 1626 to 1642. Designed to protect Spanish and Portuguese trade from interference by the Dutch base in the south of Taiwan, the colony was short-lived due to the unwillingness of colonial authorities in Manila to commit men and materiel to defending it. After seventeen years the last fortress of the Spanish was besieged by Dutch forces, and eventually fell, giving the Dutch control over most of the island. After landing at Cape Santiago (now Sandiao) in the north-east of Taiwan but finding it unsuitable for defensive purposes, the Spanish continued westwards along the coast until they arrived at Keelung. A deep and well-protected harbour plus a small island in the mouth of the harbour made it the ideal spot to build the first settlement, which they named Santissima Trinidad. Forts were built, both on the island and in the harbour itself. In 1629 the Spanish set up their second base, centred around Fort San Domingo in Danshui
