Fort Virguenco facts for kids
Fort Virhuenco was a Spanish fort built a long time ago in what is now the Araucanía Region of southern Chile. It was first set up by a Spanish leader named Alonso de Ribera in 1613. This fort was part of his plan to create a line of strongholds, known as "frontier forts," to protect Spanish lands.
The fort was located in a valley called Virhuén, southeast of the city of Angol. It was also near the upper part of the Rehue River, close to where the high mountains begin in the Quechereguas area. Over time, the fort was either left empty or destroyed.
Later, in 1665, another governor named Francisco de Meneses Brito built a new fort there, calling it San Carlos. However, the Mapuche people, who lived in the area, attacked this fort and defeated all the soldiers inside on May 20, 1667.
The names Virhuén and Virhuenco come from the Mapudungun language, which is spoken by the Mapuche people. The original word was virquen or virquyn, and it means "cold earth."
Contents
Fort Virhuenco: A Spanish Stronghold
Fort Virhuenco was an important military outpost built by the Spanish in the early 1600s. Its main purpose was to help control the frontier, which was the border between Spanish lands and the territories of the native Mapuche people. These "frontier forts" were like checkpoints or small castles, designed to protect Spanish settlers and resources.
Where Was It?
The fort was built in a strategic location. It was in the Virhuén valley, which is southeast of the modern-day city of Angol in Chile. The fort also sat near the upper part of the Rehue River. This area was close to the mountains in a region known as Quechereguas. Being near a river and mountains made it a good spot for defense and watching over the land.
What's in a Name?
The name Virhuén and its variation Virhuenco have interesting origins. They come from the Mapudungun language. This is the language spoken by the Mapuche people, who are the native inhabitants of central and southern Chile and Argentina. In Mapudungun, the word virquen or virquyn means "cold earth." This name likely described the local environment around the fort.
A Fort's Story
Fort Virhuenco had a history of being built, abandoned, and then rebuilt.
- First Fort (1613): It was first established in 1613 by Alonso de Ribera. He was a Spanish governor who focused on creating a strong line of defense.
- Abandonment: After some time, the first fort was either left empty or destroyed. This often happened during conflicts with the Mapuche or when the Spanish changed their defense plans.
- Second Fort (1665): In 1665, Governor Francisco de Meneses Brito decided to build a new fort on the same spot. He named this new fort San Carlos.
- Final Attack (1667): However, this second fort did not last long. On May 20, 1667, the Mapuche people attacked Fort San Carlos. They managed to take control of the fort and defeat all the soldiers stationed there. This event marked the end of the Spanish fort at Virhuenco.
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.887 Virhuén.—Comarca
