The fort is now a first grade historical site and has been occupied in turns by Spanish, Dutch and English navy men. Its local namesake, Fort San Domingo comes from what the Taiwanese people called Dutchmen, "Red Haired Barbarians" (hongmaofan) thanks to the orange head of hair prevalent in Dutchmen. The square fortification was designed to defend against conventional armies of the day and its stone exterior and brick interior masonry could further prevent compromise by cannon fire.