Espíritu Santo (fort) facts for kids

Espíritu Santo was an old Spanish fortress, like a strong fort, built a long time ago in what is now Chile. It was located a bit north of a town called Nacimiento. This fort was on the left side of the Bio Bio River, right where another river, the Tavolevo, joined it.

What Was Espíritu Santo?

Espíritu Santo was a military fort. It was built by the Spanish in 1585. The person in charge of building it was the Governor Alonso de Sotomayor. Governors were important leaders who ruled areas for the King of Spain.

Why Was It Built?

The main reason Espíritu Santo was built was for defense. It helped protect the valley of Catiray. It also worked together with another fort called Santísima Trinidad. That other fort was on the opposite side of the Bio Bio River. So, these two forts helped control the area around the river.

What Happened to Espíritu Santo?

The fort didn't last very long. It was left empty and destroyed around the year 1600. This happened during a time of conflict known as the Arauco War.