SAMNANGSEONG FORTRESS

As is often the case, it all starts with a myth. The legend tells that three of the sons of the mythical Dangun would have built the castle of Samnangseong in one day, of which only this fortress remains today. You are the judge of the veracity of this information. The one that has been restored and that we now see in its place dates from the 17th century. Also called Jeongjoksanseong, it is 1.5 km long and consists of a rough stone wall and gates, one of which is on the south side with a pavilion and another one which is more modest but quite charming in the middle of the forest. In the town (especially near the market) you can see the southern gate of the so-called fortress that once surrounded the town. Built in the 1230s, it was rebuilt in stone around 1636 during the Manchu invasions in anticipation of a possible retreat. It was destroyed by the invaders a year later, in 1637. It was rebuilt again in 1677 and then under King Sukjong (1661-1720) in the early 18th century. The French burned it when they left in 1866, and the remains that can now be seen were restored in 1974: in addition to the south gate, the west and north gates can be seen, near which there is a spring. Legend has it that this fortress is the oldest building in the whole of South Korea. Although the site itself is not exceptional, the walk through the forest while walking along the wall is really very pleasant.