FORTRESS BUKHANSANSEONG
The fortress dates back to the time of the Three Kingdoms but the visible buildings date back to 1711, when King Sukjong began his construction to offer a safe haven to the court in case of danger. After the Japanese invasions of 1592-1598 and manchoues of 1636, the need for a safe place near the capital was indeed felt.
A fortified wall was built from Mount Ingwansan, near the palaces, to the fortress. It is 10 km of circumference, but only 6 months were necessary for its construction: the mountain heights were wisely used. The site appears naturally fortified. The valley in the centre included a palace, hangars, military buildings, temples, etc. These buildings, which were never used in a state of emergency, were subsistèrent until the Korean war, during which most were burned. Of the 14 doors included in the enclosure, only 3 have been reconstructed (Daeseomun, the only partially preserved, Daedongmun and Daenammun). All 143 guard posts were destroyed. There are 5 of the 10 temples and 2 hermitages built for the monks.
This fortress is not comparable to that of Suwon with regard to the beauty of buildings but the site is superb.
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