Seoul, 600-year Capital of Korea Encompassing Hanyang, the capital of the Joseon Dynasty, the Walking Along Fortress Wall of Seoul was built along the ridge of Inwangsan338m, Bukaksan342m, Naksan125m and Namsan262m and runs over 18.6km. the Fortress Wall The Fortress Wall of Seoul has four major gates in directions toward north, east, west, and south and sub-gates between them. * “Fortress Wall of Seoul” is called with a Korean pronunciation of Seoul Hanyang Doseong. of Seoul Korean Trails and Culture Foundation Suseonjeondo The 'Suseonjeondo' (a complete map of Seoul) was produced by Kim Jeong-ho between 1824 and 1834. With the size of 首善全圖 82.5 cm x 67.5 cm, it has been precisely drawn according to an actual measurement. It describes palaces, facilities, towns, and mountains as well as fortresses. Starting from the Sungnyemun to the clockwise direction, you can see historical sites in the following order. Changuimun Bukaksan Inwangsan Sukjeongmun Donuimun Hyehwamun Starting point Souimun Naksan Sungnyemun Heunginjimun Namsan Gwanghuimun Source: National Museum of Korea Contents Walking Along Overview 04 Sungnyemun – Changuimun Section 10 the Fortress Wall Four Main Gates and Four Sub-gates 05 Changuimun – Hyehwamun Section 16 Story of Wall 06 Hyehwamun – Gwanghuimun Section 20 of Seoul Pedestrian Route of the Fortress Wall of Seoul 08 Gwanghuimun – Sungnyemun Section 24 Bukaksan Sukjeongmun Inwangsan Changuimun Hyehwamun 7 Naksan 6 Changgyeonggung Gyeongbokgung 4 Changdeokgung Deoksugung 5 8 Gyeonghuigung 9 Heunginjimun Site for Donuimun 10 Gwanghuimun 3 11 Site for Souimun Sungnyemun 2 1 Namsan 12 1~12 Direction of Routes Panoramic View of Seoul from Namsan 04/ 055 The Fortress Wall Four Main Gates of SeoulHistorical Site 10 and Four Sub – Gates Encompassing Hanyang, the capital of the Joseon Dynasty, the Fortress The Fortress Wall of Seoul has four main gates in the directions toward Wall of Seoul was built along the ridge of Inwangsan338m , Bukaksan342m, north, east, west and south, and four sub-gates between them. They Naksan125m and Namsan262m and runs over 18.6 km. were not completed during the 1st period of the construction in 1396 but * “Fortress Wall of Seoul” is called with a Korean pronunciation of Seoul Hanyang Doseong. completed during the 2nd period in the same year. Beginning of the Fortress Wall of Seoul of construction and the name of the town along with construction period. In 1422, Four main gates are named as Heunginjimun Sukjeongmun (Bukjeongmun) Overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty in July 1392, Taejo Yi Seong-gye founded the the fortress walls made of earth were replaced with stones, being built higher (east), Donuimun (west), Sungnyemun (south), and Sukcheongmun (north); and Joseon Dynasty at Suchanggung, Gaeseong. However, he moved the capital to than before. In 1704, the fortress wall was re-built and piled through a five-year four sub-gates are called Hyehwamun (northeast), Gwanghuimun (southeast), Changuimun Hyehwamun (Jahamun) Hanyang (Present day Seoul) in October, 1394. Then, he built palaces and fa- major reconstruction. Souimun (southwest), and Changuimun (northwest). Name for these gates were (Dongsomun) cilities and established Doseongchukjodogam in September 1395. Since January given based on five principles of Confucianism and five elements of Yin and Yang North 9th, 1396, construction of the fortress wall had been started and was almost Destruction and Restoration of the Fortress Wall of Seoul philosophy. As “In” represents east, the gate in the eastern area was named 智 completed within 49 days as of February 28th. However, the 2nd construction Though the Fortress Wall of Seoul that was continuously maintained and re- Heunginmun. As “Ui” represents west, the gate in the western area was named was carried out for 49 days from August 9th to September 24th because of the paired during the period of Joseon Dynasty, many parts of it were destroyed Donuimun. As “Ye” indicates south, the gate in the southern area was named Donuimun Heunginjimun West 義 信 仁 East short period and poor quality of the construction. At this point, main gates and due to city planning during Japanese occupation period. Also, the fortress walls Sungnyemun. However, though “Ji” denotes north, as an exception, the gate in (Seodaemun) (Dongdaemun) sub-gates had been completed. around Heunginjimun, Donuimun and Sungnyemun were destroyed because of the northern area was named Sukcheongmun. “Sin,” representing the center, the introduction of tram lines. After Korea became independent, the Korean can be found in Bosingak, the bell pavilion at the center of Seoul. 禮 Construction of the Fortress Wall of Seoul War and ill-considered urbanization gave further damage to the fortress wall. South Based on the section of 180m, construction of the fortress wall during the King Then, major restoration of the Fortress Wall of Seoul was carried out from 1975 Souimun Gwanghuimun (Sugumun) Taejo period was carried out in 97 sections. Starting from the peak of Bukaksan, to 1982. Along with the restoration of Hyehwamun and Gwanghuimun, partial (Seosomun) each section was named with a Chinese character from Cheonjamun. 118,000 repair operation has been continued since then. After 2000, as historical and Sungnyemun people were mobilized for the 1st construction, and the 2nd construction had cultural values of the Fortress Wall of Seoul were re-examined with keen atten- (Namdaemun) 790,400 people participated in. In the sections on the mountain, the fortress wall tion, the restoration operation kept proceeding on a purpose to be registered as was built with stones, while the fortress wall was built with earth on the flatland. UNESCO World Heritage. There are still stones engraved with the names and titles of supervisor in charge 06/ 077 Structure of Construction the Fortress Wa l l Method by Period The fortress wall consists of Cheseong (body) and Yeojang (short fence After the Fortress Wall of Seoul was firstly built during the Taejo period, it on the body). As for special facilities, there are Gokjang, Chiseong, went through major expansion during the King Sejong period and recon- Seongmun, Munru, Ongseong, Ammun and Sumun. struction during the King Sukjong period. Construction methods of each period are unique so that they can be easily recognized. Cheseong Gokjang (Gokseong) Ongseong Fortress Wall during the Taejo Period(1392 – 1398) Body of the fortress wall Curved part of the fortress wall. This can be found in two sections, Bukaksan The semi-circled fortress wall to hide the gate for more effective defense. Heung- Natural stones were roughly cut. The size of stones became smaller as of upper and Inwangsan. injimun is the only gate that has Ongseong. part of the wall. For Seongdol, roughly-cut granite and gneiss were used. Though Yeojang only few walls remain during the Taejo period, they can be easily found near Also known as Seonggakui or Seongcheop, Yeojang is built in a way that soldiers Chiseong Sumun Namsan. can fire guns covering themselves behind it. One Yeojang is called one Ta. In Squared part of the fortress wall. Part of it is restored in the Dongdaemun History There were Hongyemun to let the water flow where the fortress meets the one Ta, there are three Chongans. At the center, there is Geunchongan for short & Culture Park. stream. The Fortress Wall of Seoul had Ogansumun next to Heunginjimun and Fortress Wall during the Sejong Period(1418 – 1450) range shooting and there are two Wonchongan for long range shooting on its Igansumun where the stream from Namsan flows. Currently, a 1/2 size of Ogan- Stones were square-cut. The lower part of the wall consists of relatively big both sides. Seongmun and Munru sumun remains a slightly off from its original location, and Igansumun is restored stones and, the upper area is made up of small ones. Just as the wall during the The gate of fortress wall is Seongmun, and the pavilion on top of the fortress is in the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park. Taejo period, it is slanted inward as of upper part. Granite was used for Seongdol. Okgaeseok Munru. As for Seongmun, the Fortress Wall of Seoul has four main gates and Roof stone placed on the Yeojang. It prevents rain from entering Cheseong. For four sub-gates. There used to be nine gates as Namsomun was built between Ammun Fortress Wall during the Sukjong Period(1674 – 1720) defense, it can be dropped to enemies climbing up the wall. Sungnyemun and Gwanghuimun. A small gate for secret transfer of troops or military materials. Normally, it was Stones were square-cut around 60cm. Thus, the wall is better structured and closed with stones and used only during wartime. Currently, there are eight Am- stands out almost perpendicularly. Granite was used for Seongdol. Different from One Ta muns in the Fortress Wall of Seoul. walls during the Taejo and Sejong periods, the wall has Yeojang almost intact. Okgaeseok Wonchongan Geunchongan Yeojang Munru Gokjang (Gokseong) Seongmun Cheseong Hongye (Hongyemun) Ongseong Fortress Wall Fortress Wall Fortress Wall Chiseong Ongseong (Heunginjimun) Sumun (Ogansumun) during the Taejo Period during the Sejong Period during the Sukjong Period 08 / 099 Walking Along Preparation Section 1 Coexistence of Past and Seoul under Section 2 the Fortress Wall of Seoul Present around Inwangsan Bukaksan Direction Comfortable Outfit, Shoes and Backpack You can walk clockwise or counterclockwise. Both directions have advantages. Choose a comfortable outfit made of light and soft materials. You had better not Walking counterclockwise will be an easier route, and you can visit sites ac- wear cotton clothes as they may absorb sweat fast but do not dry quickly. Soft cording to Sunseong which is a Joseon tradition. This document shows sites sneakers with cushion, trekking shoes or hiking boots will be helpful. You need according to Sunseong. a backpack to carry snacks, water and extra clothes.