Korean fortress

Korean fortresses are fortifications constructed by Koreans since the Three Kingdoms of Korea period. Koreans developed a unique and distinct fortress tradition.[1] Korea, beginning with Goguryeo,[2][3][4] has been called "a country of fortresses";[1][5][6][7] almost 2,400 mountain fortress sites have been found in Korea.[1][5]

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There are numerous types of Korean fortresses, including sanseong (mountain fortress), eupseong (city fortress), pyeongjiseong, gwanseong, jangseong, chaekseong, and more.[2]

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.[5][8] Korean fortresses were invented by Goguryeo and spread to Baekje and Silla,[9] and then inherited and further developed by Goryeo and then Joseon.[5]

Sites

Almost 2,400 mountain fortress sites have been found in Korea.[1][5]

Goguryeo fortress ruins have been found in about 170 sites to date, including in China;[3] one of the most notable among them is Ansi Fortress, which successfully defended against Tang Taizong during the Goguryeo–Tang War.[10][11] Goguryeo fortress ruins have also been found in present-day Mongolia.[12][13][14]

Korean-style fortresses can be found in Japan, which were constructed and supervised by immigrants of Baekje origin.[5]

UNESCO

Hwaseong Fortress and Namhansanseong are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.[15][16]

List and Classification
  • Namhan Mountain Fortress
    Namhan Mountain Fortress
  • Gyeonhwon Mountain Fortress ruins
    Gyeonhwon Mountain Fortress ruins
  • Gyeonhwon Mountain Fortress ruins
    Gyeonhwon Mountain Fortress ruins

References
  1. "Korea's fortresses reflect the past and Koreans' respect for the environment". Korea.net. KOCIS. 8 April 2013. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014.
  2. "'산성의 나라' 고구려". 민족21. Archived from the original on 2016-06-25. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  3. Su-il, Jeong (18 July 2016). The Silk Road Encyclopedia. Seoul Selection. ISBN 9781624120763. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  4. "사진을 통해 본 고구려 성곽". 동북아역사넷. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  5. "Ancient Mountain Fortresses in Central Korea". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  6. Cultural Heritage Administration (South Korea) (19 November 2011). World Heritage in Korea. 길잡이미디어. p. 65. ISBN 9788981241773. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  7. The Korea Foundation (23 February 2015). Koreana - Winter 2014 (English): Korean Culture & Arts. 한국국제교류재단. ISBN 9791156041115. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  8. Chʻa, Yong-gŏl; Hakhoe, Hanʼguk Sŏnggwak (2007). Mountain Fortresses in Central Inland Korea: Deokju Sanseong Mountain Fortress. Korea Fortress Academy. p. 36. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  9. Chʻa, Yong-gŏl; Hakhoe, Hanʼguk Sŏnggwak (2007). Mountain Fortresses in Central Inland Korea: Deokju Sanseong Mountain Fortress. Korea Fortress Academy. p. 33. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  10. Kim, Li-na (2004). Koguryo tomb murals. ICOMOS-Korea. p. 100. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  11. Kim, Jinwung (2012). A History of Korea: From "Land of the Morning Calm" to States in Conflict. Indiana University Press. p. 50. ISBN 978-0253000248. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  12. 김운회. "한국과 몽골, 그 천년의 비밀을 찾아서". Pressian. Korea Press Foundation. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  13. 成宇濟. "고고학자 손보기 교수". 시사저널. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  14. "[초원 실크로드를 가다](14)초원로가 한반도까지". 경향신문. The Kyunghyang Shinmun. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  15. "Hwaseong Fortress". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  16. "Namhansanseong". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
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