Bukhansanseong () is a Joseon-era Korean fortress in Bukhansan National Park, South Korea. 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.

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

Joseon period The current Bukhansanseong Fortress was built in 1711 CE by King Sukjong of Joseon. 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. 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 (, Temporary Palace), was built in May 1712, and Jongseongmun, (), which was built to protect inner fortress and essential facilities, such as Haenggung or jung-heung-sa (), was finished in 1714.

Structure

Total length of Bukhansanseong Fortress is 12.7 km and total area of the Fortress is 6.2 km2. There were 6 great gates, 8 secret gates, 2 water gates, and 143 seongrang (, sentry post)

+Names of Bukhansanseong Gates Korean English Classification북문 Bungmun North Gate대서문 Daeseomun Great West Gate중성문 Jungseongmun Great Gate대동문 Daedongmun Great East Gate대성문 Daeseongmun Great Gate대남문 Daenammun Great South Gate수문 Sumun Water Gate and Secret Gate서암문 Seoammun Secret Gate백운봉암문 Baegunbongammun Secret Gate용암문 Yongammun Secret Gate보국문 Bogukmun Secret Gate가사당암문 Gasadangammun Secret Gate부왕동암문 Buwangdongammun Secret Gate청수동암문 Cheongsudongammun Secret Gate

Bukhansanseong Fortress also has one Temporary Palace, three Jangdae (, Commanding Post), three Yuyoung (, Military Camp)for defensive purpose. Three different units were stationed in Bukhansanseong Fortress, called Samgunmun (Hunryeongdogam, Geumweiyoung, and Eoyoungcheong). 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 Korean English Classification행궁 Haenggung Temporary Palace북장대지 Bukjangdaeji Northern Commanding Post남장대지 Namjangdaeji Southern Commanding Post동장대 Dongjangdae Eastern Commanding Post훈련도감 유영지 Hunryeongdogam Yuyoungji Military Camp금위영 유영지 Geumweiyoung Yuyoungji Military Camp어영청 유영지 Eoyoungcheong Yuyoungji Military 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 Korean English Classification 중흥사 (지) Jeungheungsa(ji) Buddhist Temple & Historical site서암사(지) Seo'amsa(ji) Buddhist Temple & Historical site태고사 Taegosa Buddhist Temple상운사 Sangwunsa Buddhist Temple진국사(노적사) Jingooksa(Nojeoksa) Buddhist Temple (*reestablished and renamed) 봉선암 Bongseong'am Buddhist Temple국녕사 Guknyeongsa Buddhist Temple용암사(지) Yong'amsa(ji) Buddhist Temple & Historical site원각사(지) Wongaksa(ji) Buddhist Temple & Historical site원효암 Wonhyo'am Buddhist Temple보광사(지) Bogwangsa(ji) Buddhist Temple & Historical site보국사(지) Boguksa(ji) Buddhist Temple & Historical site부왕사(지) Buwangsa(ji) Buddhist Temple & Historical site

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

See also Namhansanseong History of Korea List of fortresses in Korea Hwaseong Fortress

References

External links