Fuerte de Lonquén facts for kids

Fuerte de Lonquén (which means Fort Lonquén in English) was an important fort built a long time ago in Chile. It was created in 1602 by a powerful leader named Alonso de Ribera, who was the Royal Governor of Chile. This fort was located on the south side of the Lonquén River, about nine kilometers from the Itata River.

Why Was Fort Lonquén Built?

This fort had a very important job: to protect the food supply for Governor Ribera's Spanish army. The army was fighting in an area called La Frontera. Local farms, known as estancias, grew grain and raised cattle. This food was vital for the soldiers. So, the fort was built to keep these farms and their valuable supplies safe.

From Fort to Town: Nombre de Jesús

Over time, a small town grew up around the fort. This town was given the name Nombre de Jesús. It became a settled place where people lived and worked, showing how important the fort's location was.

Lonquén Today: A Small Village

Many years later, by the late 1800s, the fort and the town of Nombre de Jesús had changed. The area became a small village that is still called Lonquén. This village is located a few kilometers northwest of the town of Treguaco. Both Lonquén and Treguaco are found in the Ñuble Region of Chile.