Iron Fort

A must-visit Nangan attraction for a battlefield tour. To deeply experience Matsu's wartime atmosphere, you must include Iron Fort in your itinerary! Arriving at this isolated rocky outcrop off the coast of Tieban in Ren'ai Village, you can immediately feel the somber, wartime atmosphere. Due to its strategic and perilous terrain, ideal for observing maritime activity, it was converted into a military stronghold in its early days. A squad of the most elite amphibious frogmen troops guarded the western coastline around the clock. For defensive purposes, the interior of the rocky outcrop was hollowed out, covered with a concrete bunker, painted with camouflage, and fitted with a grass-green protective net. Even the cliff walls along the shore were studded with broken glass and iron bars to deter 'water ghosts' (enemy divers) from infiltration or attack, standing firm amidst the crashing waves. Below the concrete walkway, Iron Fort's interior reveals a hollowed-out tunnel, with clear chisel marks on its hard granite walls. Along the passage, one can see a neat arrangement of former underground stone chambers, firing ports, artillery emplacements, rooms, toilets, and kitchens. Though small, it was fully equipped. In the past, due to Iron Fort's remote location, military dogs were also deployed for defense. It was the only military dog in the defense zone that held a military rank. Following the tunnel to the summit, maritime activity is visible at a glance, and one can also see the military dog's living quarters. Today, the smoke of war has long dissipated. This small rocky outcrop, once a vital coastal defense fortress, everywhere embodies the spirit of 'iron-blooded courage and a maritime stronghold.'