Pyongyang Castle is one of the
National Treasures of North Korea.
The castle was attacked by
Geunchogo of Baekje in 375.
In 427,
Jangsu of Goguryeo transferred the Goguryeo capital from
Gungnae Fortress (present-day
Ji'an on the
China-North Korea border) to Pyongyang Castle,
a more suitable region to grow into a burgeoning metropolitan capital, which led Goguryeo to achieve a high level of cultural and economic prosperity.
In 668, Pyongyang became the capital of the
Protectorate General to Pacify the East established by the
Tang dynasty of China. However, by 676, it was taken by
Silla, but left on the border between Silla and
Balhae. Pyongyang was left abandoned during the
Later Silla period, until it was recovered by
Wang Geon and decreed as the Western Capital of
Goryeo. During the
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 ...
period, it became the provincial capital of
Pyeongan Province.
During the
Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–98), Pyongyang was captured by the Japanese and held until they were defeated in the
Siege of Pyongyang.
Later in the 17th century, it became temporarily occupied during the
Qing invasion of Joseon until peace arrangements were made between Korea and Qing China. While the invasions made Koreans suspicious of foreigners, the influence of
Christianity began to grow after the country opened itself up to foreigners in the 16th century. Pyongyang became the base of Christian expansion in Korea. By 1880 it had more than 100 churches and more Protestant missionaries than any other Asian city,
and was called "the
Jerusalem of the East".
In 1890, the city had 40,000 inhabitants.
It was the site of the
Battle of Pyongyang during the
First Sino-Japanese War, which led to the destruction and depopulation of much of the city. It was the provincial capital of South Pyeongan Province beginning in 1896.
See also
*
Pyongyang
*
Anhak Palace
The Anhak Palace was the royal residence of the Goguryeo Kingdom after the capital was moved to Pyongyang from Gungnae. Originally built in 427 AD, the palace is located in the Taesong District of Pyongyang, North Korea, at the foot of Mount Tae ...
*
Taesong Fortress
Notes
References
National Treasures of North Korea
Castles in North Korea
Rock castles
Goguryeo
Former capitals of Korea
Buildings and structures in Pyongyang
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