Fort Tolpán facts for kids
Fort Tolpán was a fort built a long time ago, in 1657. It was ordered by the governor, Pedro Porter Casanate, and built by a captain named Alonso de Cordova y Figueroa. This fort was located near a river called the Tolpán or Trolpán River.
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Where Was Fort Tolpán Located?
The Tolpán River was the name used back then for what we now call the lower part of the Renaico River. After that, it became the Vergara River until it flowed into the big Bio Bio River. So, Fort Tolpán was built right where the Renaico and Vergara Rivers meet.
What Does "Tolpán" Mean?
The name "Tolpán" or "Trolpán" comes from the Mapudungun language, which is spoken by the Mapuche people. It's a shorter way of saying thol (meaning "in front") and pagui (meaning "lion"). So, the name means "in front of lion."
Why Was Fort Tolpán Built?
Captain Cordova y Figueroa used this fort to operate against the lands of the Mapuche people who lived nearby. This was during a time when there was a conflict called the Mapuche Insurrection of 1655. The fort was meant to help control the area. However, it was only used for a few years before it was abandoned.
See Also
Sources
- Francisco Solano Asta-Buruaga y Cienfuegos, Diccionario geográfico de la República de Chile, SEGUNDA EDICIÓN CORREGIDA Y AUMENTADA, NUEVA YORK, D. APPLETON Y COMPAÑÍA, 1899, Pg. 843 Tolpán or Trolpán
