Korean fortresses are fortifications constructed by Koreans since the

Three Kingdoms of Korea Samhan or the Three Kingdoms of Korea () refers to the three kingdoms of Goguryeo (고구려, 高句麗), Baekje (백제, 百濟), and Silla (신라, 新羅). Goguryeo was later known as Goryeo (고려, 高麗), from which the modern name ''Kor ...

period. Koreans developed a unique and distinct fortress tradition.

Korea Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...

, beginning with

Goguryeo Goguryeo (37 BC–668 AD) ( ) also called Goryeo (), was a Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula and the southern and central parts of Northeast China. At its peak of power, Goguryeo controlled most ...

, has been called "a country of fortresses"; almost 2,400 mountain fortress sites have been found in Korea. There are numerous types of Korean fortresses, including ''sanseong'' (mountain fortress), ''eupseong'' (city fortress), ''pyeongjiseong'', ''gwanseong'', ''jangseong'', ''chaekseong'', and more.

History

Korean fortresses were based on a stone culture and built with stones on natural mountainous terrain; therefore, they are conceptually completely different compared to Chinese fortresses, which were based on an earth culture and built with bricks and stamped earth on flat land. Korean fortresses were invented by

and spread to

Baekje Baekje or Paekche (, ) was a Korean kingdom located in southwestern Korea from 18 BC to 660 AD. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla. Baekje was founded by Onjo, the third son of Goguryeo's founder Jum ...

and

Silla Silla or Shilla (57 BCE – 935 CE) ( , Old Korean: Syera, Old Japanese: Siraki2) was a Korean kingdom located on the southern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula. Silla, along with Baekje and Goguryeo, formed the Three Kingdoms of K ...

, and then inherited and further developed by

Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unificati ...

and then

Joseon Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

Sites

Almost 2,400 mountain fortress sites have been found in Korea. Goguryeo fortress ruins have been found in about 170 sites to date, including

in China IN, In or in may refer to: Places * India (country code IN) * Indiana, United States (postal code IN) * Ingolstadt Ingolstadt (, Austro-Bavarian: ) is an independent city on the Danube in Upper Bavaria with 139,553 inhabitants (as of Ju ...

; one of the most notable among them is Ansi Fortress, which successfully defended against

Tang Taizong Emperor Taizong of Tang (28January 59810July 649), previously Prince of Qin, personal name Li Shimin, was the second emperor of the Tang dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649. He is traditionally regarded as a co-founder of the dynasty ...

during the

Goguryeo–Tang War The Goguryeo–Tang War occurred from 645 to 668 and was fought between Goguryeo and the Tang dynasty. During the course of the war, the two sides allied with various other states. Goguryeo successfully repulsed the invading Tang armies dur ...

. Goguryeo fortress ruins have also been found in present-day

Mongolia Mongolia; Mongolian script: , , ; lit. "Mongol Nation" or "State of Mongolia" () is a landlocked country in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south. It covers an area of , with a population of just 3.3 million, ...

. Korean-style fortresses can be found in Japan, which were constructed and supervised by immigrants of Baekje origin.

UNESCO

Hwaseong Fortress Hwaseong Fortress or Suwon Hwaseong is a fortification surrounding the centre of Suwon, the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, in South Korea. It was built from 1794 to 1796 by King Jeongjo of the Joseon dynasty to house and honour the remains of ...

and

Namhansanseong Namhansanseong is a historical mountain fortress city 25 km southeast of Seoul, South Korea. It sits approximately 480 m above sea level and is aligned with the ridges of the mountain for maximum defensibility. The fortress, stretchin ...

are

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

World Heritage Sites A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNES ...

List and Classification

List of fortresses in Korea Korea has a variety of fortresses, including ''sanseong'' (mountain fortress), ''jinseong'' (camp fortress), and ''eupseong'' (city fortress). This is a list of notable fortresses. Ancient * Hwando Fortress (Hangul: 위나암성 Hanja: 尉 ...

List of Korean fortresses in China This is a list of fortresses in China built by the Goguryeo kingdom, which was originally based in modern Liaoning and Jilin provinces in Northeast China Northeast China or Northeastern China () is a geographical region of China, which is oft ...

* Korean-style fortresses in Japan *

Japanese castles in Korea Japanese Castles in Korea (; ja, 倭城, Wajō, Wesōn) are Japanese castles built along the southern shores of Korea during Japanese invasions of Korea between 1592 and 1598 by the Japanese military. Japanese castles in Korea can be classified ...

* Cheolli Jangseong

Gallery

File:남한산성.jpg, ''Namhan Mountain Fortress'' File:KOCIS Korea GyeonghwonSanseong 04 (9911085503).jpg, ''Gyeonhwon Mountain Fortress ruins'' File:KOCIS Korea GyeonghwonSanseong 06 (9910958356).jpg, ''Gyeonhwon Mountain Fortress ruins''

References

{{Reflist Fortifications in Korea Forts Architecture in Korea Buildings and structures in Korea Goguryeo Korean culture History of Korea

External links

Korean Mountain Fortresses