Korea in Brief
Attractions
Korean Cuisine
Art & Craft
Big Event
Theme Tour
Who's Being Talked About?
Education
Neighborhoods
This Day in History
Tourist Information
Embassies
Incheon Int'l Airport
Gimpo Int'l Airport
Korea City Air Terminal
Communication
Airlines
Foreign Tourist Bureau
Subway Map of Seoul
This Month Seoul in Breif Specific Maps of Seoul
Where to Stay What to Eat What to Do What to See What to Buy What to Know
 Home >> Theme Tour >> Castle walls

Namhan Sanseong Fortress


People go to Nam Han San not only to see the mountain, but also to see the mountain fortress wall, called `Namhan Sanseong`. The street on which the ticket office is located is about 10km from the east side door of the fortress wall.

This stretched street is famous for its beauty. In spring the flowers are splendid and in autumn the colorful fallen leaves are a great sight.   At the very end of the street Namhan Sanseong is located. Namhan Sanseong (Historical relic no 57) is placed strategically.

In the Three Kingdoms Era there were battles around mountain fortresses such as Bukhan sanseong and Namhan Sanseong. The fortresses as well as the Han River were in key positions to determine the supremacy of the Three Kingdoms. Earlier King Injo of the Joseon Dynasty   was humiliated, surrendering to the military power of Qing and another King of Joseon Dynasty once fought desperately against the military of Qing for 47 days.

The castle was constructed over 4 years from 1624. Several buildings are part of the castle such as a military training building, and a rural palace.   These relics have become part of Korean cultural heritage. The castle was destroyed during the war between The Joseon Kingdom and Japan in 1907.   Our Korean ancestor¡¯s defended the fatherland even though the ruins of castle were almost totally destroyed.

The mountain fortress was built by connecting of the mountain peaks. The outside of the mountain fortress slopes down sharply while inside it slopes gently. There is also a natural water supply for all four seasons, making the mountain in a strategic position for the defense of the country.
At the fortress entrance a tall building called ¡®Chimgwae Jeong¡¯ was used to produce weapons in ancient times.   Another remaining building, ¡®Sueojangdae¡¯, can be found on top of the mountain fortress. The slope is slightly sharp, but the smell of old pine trees is worth the climb.

There are several pine groves in the fortress called ¡®Namhan Sanseong¡¯. If you go for a walk along the steep trail, the fortress is spread in four cardinal directions like folding screen. When the weather is fine, if you look down from the fortress wall, you can make out Seoul as well as Seongnam.

When you visit ¡®Namhan Sanseong¡¯, try to go for a walk along the fortress.   It is interesting to look around the historic relics whilst taking in everything else along the street,

Sueo Jangdae

The Sueo Jangdae building is located on the highest peak of the mountain in the west.   It was built for the purpose of surveying and commanding the military. It is the arguably the most magnificent building in the castle.   The Sueo Jang dae is 2 story, with a shrine called Cheong Rang Dang. The roof of the building has a lotus lantern. It is simple yet well balanced.

Sungyeol Jeon

Soongyeol Jeon is the shrine where ancestors held a memorial service for the late King On Jo. On Jo was founder of ¡®Baek Je¡¯, one of 3 kingdoms in ancient Korea, and was responsible for the construction of the castle in that period.
It is a simple shrine. The foundation stone was well trimmed and there were several accessory buildings but today only the foundation stone is remaining.

How to get there
(Public Transport) Take bus 15-1 at Dong Seoul terminal, the bus arrives at Namhan Sanseong, after driving through Cheonho-dong and Amsa-dong.   Or take bus No. 9 at   Bundang, the bus route arrives at Namhan Sanseong after driving through Mo Ran market.
(By Car) From Banpo, drive on the Gyeongbu express highway through Yangjae IC, and Segok-dong. Continue in the direction of Namhan Sanseong from Yakjinno, following the signposts, you will arrive Namhan Sanseong shortly.
Tel 031-743-6610



 
Copyright ¨Ï 2001 What's On Communications Inc. All rights reserved.
Write to Us post@whatsonkorea.com.