Namhansanseong Fortress - World Cultural Heritage in Korea

Unesco's Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization has recognized South Korea's Namhansanseong Fortress as a World Cultural Heritage in 2014.

Namhansanseong Fortress, South Korea

Namhansanseong Fortress is located on Mount Namhan in Gyeonggi Province, 25 km southeast of the center of Seoul capital.

Fortress is built at an altitude of 480 meters above sea level. According to Korean history, the fortress was built about 2,000 years ago and used as a defensive city of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea (1392-1910), not only that, Namhansanseong fortress has witnessed consult 500 years of ups and downs of Joseon dynasty.

At that time, the fortress was built with the main purpose of protecting Hanyang capital (Han Yang - the former name of today's Seoul capital). In December 1636, the Qing-China brought 100,000 troops across the Aprok River, which was frozen to enter the territory of Joseon. The 16th King Joseon, Injo (Humanity), joined with the refugees in Namhansanseong City. The situation was very tough at that time, when the food in the citadel was only enough for 50 servings, the outside of the city was surrounded by the Qing army. In order to keep the castle gate, Joseon soldiers were determined to resist the bombardment of the enemy's shells, but the isolated situation covered up an atmosphere of anxiety and fear. Before the situation of insecurity in the inside and casualties, heavy losses outside the city, King Injo had to bite his teeth and bowed to his head nine times before King Thai Tong of Thanh Dynasty to ask for goods. Today, in the Samjeon ferry (Tam Dien), connecting Seoul capital and Gwangju city (Gyeonggi province), there is still a stele recording this " thousand- dollar grudge " in history. The historical wound seemed to be appeased when after 377 years, Namhansanseong was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage , becoming the treasure of all humanity.

Landscape of Namhansanseong fortress.

Namhansanseong Fortress is located at an altitude of 500 m, the inner wall is 9 km long, the outer citadel is 2.7 km long. The city is characterized by a low and thin inner wall but the outer walls are high and dangerous. In addition to the four main gates of East, West, South and North, there are 16 secret doors, a place to receive reinforcements, receive weapons and food.

Besides the purpose of Namhansanseong defense is also used as royal palace - the residence of the king and the royal family. Therefore, this is the largest war capital , first appearing in human history.

The walls also have many different shapes and roles, such as wonseong (original), weseong (suburban), chiseong (hemorrhoid), ongseong (bad wall). " Citadel " is the main castle wall 8 km long. After being attacked, King Injo built an additional " suburban " wall to protect the outside. In addition, there are "ramparts" which are steps of low walls on the surface, "city walls" are built up like a jars, to protect the gates and prevent the first attack of the enemy.

In Namhansanseong, both "ramparts " and " rampants " were built in five places, " rampant " was built out of the city to protect and surround the inner valley.

The construction of Namhansanseong on the mountain showed South Korea's military military technology during the period of great progress of Joseon. Not only high value art but also perfect defensive works.

Not just a military project for defense purposes.The fortress is also a beautiful architecture showing the remarkable progress of Korean construction techniques from the Joseon period.

In 1621, Namhansanseong Fortress was completely renovated so that today this cultural heritage is still in good preservation and integrity.

Namhansanseong Fortress is recognized by Unesco as a World Cultural Heritage by criterion (ii), (iv)

Criterion (ii): Namhansanseong Fortress is an excellent example of the exchange of technological advances in building fortresses and weapons in East Asia through international wars. Namhansanseong is the only fortress city to serve as a defensive city to protect Josoen's sovereignty and independence.

Criterion (iv): The walls and means of using rough terrain represent the technical development of the fortress architecture accumulated in Korea from the 7th century to the 19th century.

The fortress is an attractive attraction that attracts tourists in Korea.