Hwasun County

Namhansanseong fortress, Korea's 11th cultural treasure enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage sites

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• published: 01 Aug 2016
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유네스코 세계문화유산 특집: 천혜의 요새, 남한산성 Namhansanseong, a mountain fortress on Korea's Namhansan Mountain... has long been known as one of Seoulites' favorite spots to go hiking or enjoy a nice drive around. Located just on the outskirts of Seoul... it's a brilliant place to visit if you want a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. But, less is known about its outstanding historical value. Oue Lee Minyoung takes us to the past and present of Korea's Namhansanseong fortress... a UNESCO World Heritage. Standing in the center of the country, Namhansanseong was the most strategic of all the mountain fortresses in Korea, and it has never fallen to invaders. The fortress was built in the seventh century to protect the southern part of the peninsula, below the Hangang river, and it is blessed with natural defensive barriers. "Namhansanseong's history goes back hundreds of years to 672, during the Silla Dynasty. Every corner of this fortress city preserves the traces of the hard-fought battles of our ancestors. From the changes made in the configuration of the stone walls over time, we can witness the evolution of the weaponry and military strategies of ancient Korea." During the Joseon Dynasty, the fortress was designated as an emergency capital, offering a refuge in times of war. "Namhansanseong fortress was designed to provide shelter to area residents in emergencies. The concept was to build a city that was also equipped with features that would enable people to fight off the enemy." Unlike other fortresses, which are built on flat land and arranged in a linear form, like the Great Wall of China, Namhansanseong was built using the features of the land and scientific construction techniques. The fortress sits nearly 500 meters above sea level, an effective deterrent. The fortress walls, which are arranged in a circular shape, are seven-point-five meters high and 12-kilometers in length, another defensive feature in its favor. Its strategic location doesn't mean the fortress wasn't subject to attack. But with each invasion attempt, Namhansanseong was made stronger through advanced fortress configuration techniques. Low structures called "yeojang" were installed on top of the main wall. They had square windows, enabling soldiers to both hide and shoot arrows... and, later, firearms. In another innovation, 16 hidden gates called "ammun" were built to allow for the clandestine movement of troops and supplies. Later, spaces for cannons called "poru" were also added and the walls were reinforced to withstand attacks from cannon fire and firearms. The fortress also has several other defense facilities. Yeonmugwan is where generals trained soldiers... and Sueojangdae is one of the five command posts built for generals to keep a lookout during battles. The historic value of this structure is immeasurable,... as it's the only remaining command post in the fortress. Below that, lies the temporary royal palace Haeng-gung, where King Injo stayed for 47 days during the Manchu Invasion of Korea. The palace opened its doors to the public in May 2012, after a ten-year renovation project. The fortress also has places where people can pay tribute to the spirits of the brave souls who sacrificed themselves during the fortress' lifespan. Sungryeoljeon Shrine houses the spirit tablet of King Onjo, the founder of the Baekje Kingdom, which preceded Silla. Hyeonjeolsa Shrine was built to honor the patriotism of three scholars who refused to surrender during the Second Manchu invasion of Korea in 1636. A shamanic ritual is still practiced at Cheongryangdang Shaman Shrine to appease the souls of those who died while the fortress was being built. The fortress's legacy has lived on with Koreans for hundreds of years, and to this day, the stories are still being told through an abundant variety of colorful attractions, including traditional music and dance performances. Above all, the true historic value of Namhansanseong lies in the efforts to preserve its cultural heritage, and it will live on as Koreans continue to visit, pay their respects to their ancestors and get a glimpse of history. Lee Minyoung, Arirang News. Visit ‘Arirang News’ Official Pages Facebook(NEWS): http://www.facebook.com/newsarirang Homepage: http://www.arirang.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/arirangtv Twitter: http://twitter.com/arirangworld Instagram: http://instagram.com/arirangworld