Geumjeongsanseong
Largest fortress in Korea, built and renovated over centuries.
Geumjeongsanseong (Korean: 금정산성; Hanja: 金井山城; lit. 'Geumjeong Mountain Fortress') is a Joseon-era fortress located on Geumjeongsan mountain in Busan, South Korea. It holds the distinction of being the largest fortress in the country.
The origins of a fortress at this site are unclear. Some form of structure may have existed as early as the Silla period (57 BCE – 935 CE), but it is certain that fortifications were present by the mid-Joseon period and were repeatedly repaired. A record from 1667 mentions suggested repairs. After the Japanese invasions (1592–1598) and the Manchu invasions, most of the current fortress was built between 1701 and 1703. In 1707, the fortress was deemed too large, so a dividing wall split it into northern and southern sections. This size eventually led to the fortress falling into disuse, as it was too costly to maintain. New gates and towers were added in 1806, and a stele (금정산성 부설비; 金井山城 復設碑) documents the construction of these gates. The fortress was partially destroyed during the Japanese occupation (1910–1945).
The site was designated Historic Site of South Korea No. 215 on February 9, 1971, and the Busan Metropolitan Government now oversees its upkeep. Restoration of the east, west, and south gates began in 1972, and the north gate was rebuilt in 1989. Of the four observation towers, tower number 1 (제1망루) on the southwest side was destroyed by Typhoon Rusa on the morning of September 1, 2002. Further restoration was carried out in three five-year phases from 1996 to 2010. Phase 1 (1996–2000) covered the west region from the North Gate down to the West Gate. Phase 2 (2000–2005) addressed the east wall between the North Gate and the East Gate, including observation towers 3 and 4. Phase 3 (2006–2010) covered everything south of the West and East Gates, including the South Gate and observation towers 1 and 2.
The fortress walls were built mostly from stone found on the mountain itself, so the material varies by location. The walls measure either 16.383 km (10.180 mi) or 18.845 km (11.710 mi) in length and stand between 1.5 and 3 meters high. The enclosed area spans roughly 8.2 square kilometers.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Geumjeong District, Busan, South Korea
- Built
- 1703; rebuilt in 1707, 1807, 1972, 1974 and 1989
- Builder
- Jo Tae-dong, the Governor of Gyeongsang-do (1703), Oh Han-won, the Dongnae Magistrate (1807), Government of the Busan Metropolitan City (1972, 1974 and 1989)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
It is not known with certainty when the first fortress on this location was built; structures existed from at latest the mid-Joseon period and were continually renovated. A fortress may have existed from even the Silla period (57 BCE – 935 CE). A record of repairs being suggested exists from 1667. Following the 1592–1598 Japanese invasions and the Manchu invasions, much of the current castle was constructed from 1701 to 1703. In 1707, the fortress was judged too large and split into northern and southern sections by a wall. It later fell to disuse because it was too large to maintain. New gates and towers were constructed in 1806, and a stele records the building of the gates. The fortress was partly destroyed during the Japanese occupation (1910–1945).
Reader's Guide
Geumjeongsanseong was designated Historic Site of South Korea No. 215 on February 9, 1971, and upkeep is now done by the Busan Metropolitan Government. Restoration began in 1972 with the east, west, and south gates; the north gate was rebuilt in 1989. Of the four existing observation towers, tower number 1 on the southwest side was destroyed by Typhoon Rusa on September 1, 2002. Further restoration was divided into three five-year phases between 1996 and 2010: Phase 1 (1996–2000) covered the west region from the North Gate to the West Gate; Phase 2 (2000–2005) covered the east side between the North Gate and East Gate, including observation towers 3 and 4; Phase 3 (2006–2010) covered everything south of the West and East Gates, including the South Gate and observation towers 1 and 2. The walls are made of stones from the immediate mountain environment, and their length is recorded as either 16.383 km or 18.845 km, with heights from 1.5 to 3 meters. The fortress encloses about 8.2 square kilometers.
Did You Know?
- Geumjeongsanseong is the largest fortress in Korea.
- The fortress was split into northern and southern sections by a wall in 1707 because it was judged too large.
More in Castles in South Korea 1-24
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