Bukhansanseong

The Bukhansanseong (Korean: 북한산성, "fortress of the mountains north of the Han") is a fortress located in Gyeonggi-do and Seoul, South Korea, dating back to the middle Joseon period.[1][2] The present fort was completed in 1711, though plans for the structure date back to 1659. The name is also given to a fortress mentioned in the Samguk Sagi, constructed by Gaeru of Baekje in 132 CE, and the two are often conflated although the putative connection is contested.

Bukhansanseong
Bukhansan National Park, Gyeonggi-do/Seoul, Republic of Korea
Bukhansanseong Fortress
TypeKorean castle
Height7m
Site history
BuiltYear 1711
Built bySukjong of Joseon
MaterialsGranite, wood
Bukhansanseong
Hangul
북한산성
Hanja
Revised RomanizationBukhansanseong
McCune–ReischauerPukhansansŏng

The modern Bukhansanseong was built to protect the approach to Seoul, filling a gap in Korea's defences that had become apparent during the second Manchu invasion of 1636 and the earlier Imjin War. The Bukhansanseong was used as a royal retreat in emergencies, and contains 120 rooms.

History

Three Kingdoms of Korea Era

It was first built in 132 CE by Gaeru of kingdom of Baekje.[3] During Baekje era, this fortress was used for the defense of the capital when Baekje set up its capital at Wiryeseong Fortress in Hanam.[4]

Joseon Era

The current Bukhansanseong Fortress was built in 1711 CE by King Sukjong of Joseon.[5] After the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–98) and Second Manchu invasion of Korea(1636), fierce discussion broke out in the royal court about constructing fortress that can protect the kingdom against external threats. Although discussion about building new fortress began in 1451 CE during the era of king Munjong of Joseon, Actual construction of the Bukhansanseong Fortress began on 3 April, in 1711 during 37th year of King Sukjong of Joseon.[6] The construction of Bukhansanseong Fortress was relatively faster than discussion and planning period. 12.7 km of Fortress outer wall was built just in 6 month time (October in 1711). Haeng-gung (Korean: 행궁, Temporary Palace), was built in May 1712, and Jong-seong-mun, (Korean: 중성문), which was built to protect inner fortress and essential facilities, such as Haeng-gung or jung-heung-sa (Korean: 중흥사), was finished in 1714.[7]

Structure

Total length of Bukhansanseong Fortress is 12.7 km and total area of the Fortress is 6.2 km².[8] There were 6 great gates, 8 secret gates, 2 water gates, and 143 seong-rang (Korean: 성랑, sentry post)

Names of Bukhansanseong Gates
KoreanEnglishClassification
북문Buk-munNorth Gate
대서문Dae-seo-munGreat West Gate
중성문Jung-seong-munGreat Gate
대동문Dae-dong-munGreat East Gate
대성문Dae-seong-munGreat Gate
대남문Dae-nam-munGreat South Gate
수문Su-munWater Gate and Secret Gate
서암문Seo-'am-munSecret Gate
백운봉암문Baek-wun-bong-'am-munSecret Gate
용암문Yong-'am-munSecret Gate
보국문Bo-guk-munSecret Gate
가사당암문Ga-sa-dang-'am-munSecret Gate
부왕동암문Bu-wang-dong-'am-munSecret Gate
청수동암문Chung-su-dong-'am-munSecret Gate

Bukhansanseong Fortress also has one Temporary Palace, three Jang-dae (Korean: 장대, Commanding Post), three Yu-young (Korean: 유영, Military Camp)for defensive purpose. Three different units were stationed in Bukhansanseong Fortress, called Sam-gun-mun (Hun-ryeong-do-gam, Geum-wei-young, and Eo-young-cheong). They were stationed in three different location within Bukhansanseong Fortress, and the main responsibility of those units was the protection of the Bukhansanseong Fortress.

Defensive Structures
KoreanEnglishClassification
행궁Haeng-gungTemporary Palace
북장대지Buk-jang-dae-jiNorthern Commanding Post
남장대지Nam-jang-dae-jiSouthern Commanding Post
동장대Dong-jang-daeEastern Commanding Post
훈련도감 유영지Hun-ryeong-do-gam Yu-young-jiMilitary Camp
금위영 유영지Geum-wei-young Yu-young-jiMilitary Camp
어영청 유영지Eo-young-cheong Yu-young-jiMilitary Camp

13 Buddhist temples were also established within the wall of Bukhansanseong Fortress for Buddhist monks soldiers. Only 6 Buddhist temples remain today, but all lost temples are designated as historical site.

Name of Buddhist Temple in Bukhansanseong Fortress
KoreanEnglishClassification
중흥사 (지)Jeung-heung-sa(ji)Buddhist Temple & Historical site
서암사(지)Seo-'am-sa(ji)Buddhist Temple & Historical site
태고사Tae-go-saBuddhist Temple
상운사Sang-wun-saBuddhist Temple
진국사(노적사)Jin-gook-sa(No-jeok-sa)Buddhist Temple (*reestablished and renamed)
봉선암Bong-seong-'amBuddhist Temple
국녕사Guk-nyeong-saBuddhist Temple
용암사(지)Yong-'am-sa(ji)Buddhist Temple & Historical site
원각사(지)Won-gak-sa(ji)Buddhist Temple & Historical site
원효암Won-hyo-'amBuddhist Temple
보광사(지)Bo-gwang-sa(ji)Buddhist Temple & Historical site
보국사(지)Bo-guk-sa(ji)Buddhist Temple & Historical site
부왕사(지)Bu-wang-sa(ji)Buddhist Temple & Historical site

In addition, 7 Armories, 99 wells, and 22 small reservoirs were under the control of Bukhansanseong Fortress.[9]

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See also

References
  1. Oh, Du-hwan (30 September 2010). "Lush trails for fall trekking season". Joongang Daily. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  2. "Conquering the mountains of Seoul". Joongang Daily. 14 July 2005. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  3. "Bukhansanseong Fortress (북한산성)". KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION. KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  4. "Bukhansanseong Fortress". Bukhansanseong Fortress. Culture Heritage Administration Korea. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  5. "Bukhansanseong". Bukhanssanseong Cultural Business Division Blog. Bukhansanseong Cultural Business Division. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  6. 재범, 이 (25 November 2011). 북한산 조사 연구 자료집. Suwon: GeyongGi Cultural Foundation. p. 51. ISBN 978-89-89553-74-8.
  7. "중성문 Jong-seong-mun". Bukhansanseong Cultural Business Division Blog. Bukhansanseong Cultural Business Division. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  8. "북한산성 Bukhansanseong". Bukhansanseong Cultural Business Division Blog. Bukhansanseong Cultural Business Division. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  9. "북한산성 Bukhansanseong". Bukhansanseong Cultural Business Division Blog. Bukhansanseong Cultural Business Division. Retrieved 7 April 2015.

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