Coastal fortifications of colonial Chile

La Serena

Valparaíso

Robinson Crusoe Island

Penco (Old Concepción)

Talcahuano

Corral Bay (Valdivia)

Ancud

Tenquehuén

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Map with places that were fortified at some point during colonial times. Blue dots mark locations first fortified in the 17th century or before. Green dots marks paces first fortified in the 18th century.

In Colonial times the Spanish Empire diverted significant resources to fortify the Chilean coast as a consequence of Dutch and English raids.^[1] During the 16th century the Spanish strategy was to complement the fortification work in its Caribbean ports with forts in the Strait of Magellan. As attempts at settling and fortifying the Strait of Magellan were abandoned the Spanish began to fortify the Captaincy General of Chile and other parts of the west coast of the Americas. The coastal fortifications and defense system was at its peak in the mid-18th century.^[2]