Bukhansanseong


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, 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. Haeng-gung, 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
KoreanEnglishClassification
북문BungmunNorth Gate
대서문DaeseomunGreat West Gate
중성문JungseongmunGreat Gate
대동문DaedongmunGreat East Gate
대성문DaeseongmunGreat Gate
대남문DaenammunGreat South Gate
수문SumunWater Gate and Secret Gate
서암문SeoammunSecret Gate
백운봉암문BaegunbongammunSecret Gate
용암문YongammunSecret Gate
보국문BogukmunSecret Gate
가사당암문GasadangammunSecret Gate
부왕동암문BuwangdongammunSecret Gate
청수동암문CheongsudongammunSecret Gate

Bukhansanseong Fortress also has one Temporary Palace, three Jangdae, three Yuyoung for defensive purpose. Three different units were stationed in Bukhansanseong Fortress, called Samgunmun. They were stationed in three different location within Bukhansanseong Fortress, and the main responsibility of those units was the protection of the Bukhansanseong Fortress.
KoreanEnglishClassification
행궁HaenggungTemporary Palace
북장대지BukjangdaejiNorthern Commanding Post
남장대지NamjangdaejiSouthern Commanding Post
동장대DongjangdaeEastern Commanding Post
훈련도감 유영지Hunryeongdogam YuyoungjiMilitary Camp
금위영 유영지Geumweiyoung YuyoungjiMilitary Camp
어영청 유영지Eoyoungcheong YuyoungjiMilitary 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.
KoreanEnglishClassification
중흥사 Jeungheungsa(ji)Buddhist Temple & Historical site
서암사Seo'amsaBuddhist Temple & Historical site
태고사TaegosaBuddhist Temple
상운사SangwunsaBuddhist Temple
진국사JingooksaBuddhist Temple
봉선암Bongseong'amBuddhist Temple
국녕사GuknyeongsaBuddhist Temple
용암사Yong'amsaBuddhist Temple & Historical site
원각사WongaksaBuddhist Temple & Historical site
원효암Wonhyo'amBuddhist Temple
보광사BogwangsaBuddhist Temple & Historical site
보국사BoguksaBuddhist Temple & Historical site
부왕사BuwangsaBuddhist Temple & Historical site

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