Namhansanseong () is a historic Korean fortress city in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fortress lies atop the mountain Namhansan and stretches 12 km in length. It served as an emergency capital city during the 1392–1910 Joseon period. The design is based on fortress architecture of East Asia, embodying aspects of four historical cultural styles: Joseon of Korea, the Azuchi-Momoyama Period of Japan, and Ming and Qing China.

It can be accessed from Seoul through Namhansanseong station of Seoul Subway Line 8.

History

Namhansanseong now lies atop the mountain Namhansan. This location made it highly defensible; even before the fortress's construction, a number of defensive structures existed in the area. A 2005 archaeological dig found a fortress called Jujangseong that dated to the 57–935 Silla period. During the Goryeo period, a fortification existed in the area that was called "Gwangju Fortress" ().

The fortress's construction was motivated by the 1624 Yi Gwal's Rebellion and 1627 Later Jin invasion of Joseon. King Injo ordered to construct it. Buddhist monk-soldiers were recruited from all eight provinces for the task. Over time, features were continually added to the fortress; it eventually became the best-equipped in Korea. The fortress proper (excluding outermost walls) reached a circumference of . Its interior area was . It was capable of housing around 4,000 people.thumbnail|250px|Namhansanseong North Gate|rightthumbnail|187x187px|Namhansanseong West Gate|rightthumb|240x240px|The command post (1959)

The fortress played a role in a number of historic events. In the early 20th century, it was the site of battles between the righteous armies and the Japanese. In 1907, the Japanese destroyed much of the fortress, in order to decrease its utility to Koreans. The fortress lost its function as the town center due to the relocation of the Gwangju County Office in 1917, resulting in a downgrade to a remote mountain village.

  • The 2009 musical Namhansanseong, based on the novel of the same name, focuses on the lives of common people and their spirit of survival during harsh situations. It starred Yesung of boy band Super Junior as villain Jung Myung-soo, a servant-turned-interpreter. It was performed from 9 October to 14 November at Seongnam Arts Center Opera House.
  • Dae Jang Geum (2003)
  • Dong Yi (TV series) (2010)
  • The Slave Hunters (2010)
  • Nobody's Daughter Haewon (2013)
  • The Fortress, a 2017 film directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the Korean title of which is the name of this fortress itself (Namhansanseong).
  • My Dearest (TV series 2023 - early episodes)

See also

  • Korean fortress
  • Bukhansanseong
  • History of Korea
  • List of fortresses in Korea
  • Hwaseong Fortress

References

  • Namhansanseong Official Webpage (Korean)
  • Namhansanseong World Heritage Center at Google Cultural Institute