Namhansanseong Fortress (Historic Site) Among the various records related to Namhansanseong, one states that it was the royal fortress of King Onjo, the founder of Baekje, while another asserts that it was originally built as “Jujangseong Fortress” in Hansanju in 672, the 12th year of the reign of King Munmu of Silla, at the height of the Silla-Tang War (670-676). The main part of the fortress was completed in 1626, the fourth year of the reign of King Injo of Joseon, while several extension works - including the construction of the Bongamseong and Hanbongseong Fortress in the east - were carried out to enhance its defensive function after the Qing invasion of Joseon (1636-1637). The current appearance of the fortress was established at that time. As it was built within easy reach of Seoul, Namhansanseong Fortress was used as an emergency shelter by Joseon’s royal family and entourage together with local inhabitants in times of war. It is well known that during the Qing invasion of Joseon in 1636, the 14th year of the reign of King Injo, the king took refuge there and fought the enemy for forty-seven days. Despite the deliberate damages committed by the Japanese colonial authorities in an attempt to reduce its symbolic importance, and the destruction of the fortress village during the Korean War, Namhansanseong Fortress has largely been restored to its original appearance through excavation and rebuilding works.

Sueojangdae Command Post(Treasure) A command post, called a jangdae in Korean, is a type of pavilion from which a military commander could direct troop movements and observe the enemy during military exercises and wars. Namhansanseong Fortress originally had five command posts (Dongjangdae, Seojangdae, Namjangdae, Bukjangdae, and Oedongjangdae), but only Sueojangdae Command Post remains today. Located on the summit of Cheongnyangsan Mountain (482 m), it is the most splendid building among the remaining structures inside the fortress. This two-story pavilion building features a half-hipped roof: the lower floor measures five kan at the front and three kan at the sides, while the upper floor measures three kan at the front and two kan at the sides. Notably, the roof is surrounded by double-layered eaves on both the upper and lower floors; a decorative tile is attached to the end of the hip rafter extension; dragon head-shaped roof tiles are attached to the ends of the hip ridge; and ornamental roof tiles are placed on the ridge of the roof. The pillars are placed on top of long, octagonal foundation stones with a height of 60 cm, while the ceiling features a column-head bracketing system. In 1751, the 27th year of the reign of King Yeongjo, the pavilion was extended to create a two-story structure, and its name plaques – “Sueojangdae” and “Mumangnu” - were made and hung outside and inside the building respectively.

Yeonmugwan Pavilion (Treasure)Yeonmugwan Pavilion was established as a martial arts training facility for soldiers in 1624, the 2nd year of the reign of King Injo, when Namhansanseong Fortress was built. As this large and massive building is placed on a high foundation, it is clearly visible from afar. The building’s interior is characterized by the designs of the beams: a dragon design decorates the front and back of the central beam, while a phoenix design adorns the side beams. The pavilion measures five kan at the front and four kan at the sides, and the front side features a two-tiered stylobate, in the center of which is a granite staircase.

Sungryeoljeon Shrine (Treasure)Sungryeoljeon Shrine was built to commemorate King Onjo, the founder of the Baekje dynasty, and General Yi Seo, who was in charge of the construction of Namhansanseong Fortress. A memorial ceremony is held by the Gwangju Confucian Association on September 5 of the lunar calendar every year. Established in 1638, the 16th year of the reign of King Injo, the shrine was named “Sungryeoljeon” by King Jeongjo in 1795, the 19th year of his reign. Notably, the shrine houses the memorial tablet of the king together with that of his vassal, General Yi Seo, which is related to a prophetic dream that King Injo had during the Qing invasion of Joseon (1636-1637). The main hall, measuring three kan at the front and two kan at the sides, has a gable roof with rounded windbreak boards on both sides, and a lotus lantern ceiling with exposed rafters. Its annex is a gable-roofed building with plastered walls extending up to a cross beam to protect it from wind and rain, but without any windbreak boards or windows.

Cheongnyangdang Shrine (Gyeonggi-do Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 3)Cheongnyangdang Shrine is believed to have been built to appease the vengeful sprit of General Yi Hoe, who was in charge of the construction of the southeastern wall of Namhansanseong and was executed due to a false accusation. Although known as “Daegamdang,” it is officially called “Cheongnyangdang” as Namhansanseong used to be called “Cheongnyangsan.” The shrine houses the portraits of General Yi Hoe, his wife, and a Buddhist priest named Byeogam. Cheongnyangdang Shrine was built with materials taken from the west side of the Seojangdae Command Post. The shrine consists of two buildings including a main building (measuring three kan at the front and one kan at the sides) with a half-hipped roof and single-layered eaves. The building features round purlins and a column-head bracketing system. There was a four-partitioned, hinged, lattice door in the center of the main hall, while windows with a height of 175 cm were installed at the left and right sides of the hall.

Hyeonjeolsa Shrine (Gyeonggi-do Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 4) Hyeonjeolsa Shrine was built in 1688, the 14th year of the reign of King Sukjong, to commemorate the noble spirit and loyalty of three patriotic scholars, Hong Ik-han, Yun Jip and Oh Dal-je, during the Qing invasions of Joseon (1636-1637). The construction of the shrine was led by Magistrate Yi Se-baek to console the spirit of the three scholars, who were forcibly taken to the Qing Dynasty and beheaded after undergoing many hardships. Afterwards, the spirit tablets of Kim Sang-heon and Jeong On were also enshrined there. This shrine is considered a symbol of the upright spirit shown by the scholars towards the king even in death. The building has a gable roof with single-layered eaves, and a column-head bracketing system with a double-wing bracket. The windbreak boards on both sides of the main hall have a straight bottom line. The building measures three kan at the front and one kan at the sides, and each kan has a four-partitioned, hinged, lattice door.

Chimgwaejeong Arsenal (Gyeonggi-do Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 5)Although Chimgwaejeong is known to have been an arsenal, it is presumed to have also served as an office judging by its structure, which includes a room equipped with ondol (under-the-floor heating system), a wooden-floored room, and a narrow-wooden veranda (resembling a corridor). The current building was rebuilt by Gwangju Magistrate Yi Gi-jin in 1751, the 27th year of the reign of King Yeongjo, and was named “Chimgwaejeong,” which means “using a spear (gwae, an incorrect pronunciation of ‘gwa’) as a pillow (chim).” As stone mortars used to pound gunpowder have been found there, it is assumed that this place was an office which dealt with the affairs of an arsenal.

Jisudang Pavilion (Gyeonggi-do Cultural Heritage Material No. 14)Jisudang Pavilion was built in 1672, the 13th year of the reign of King Hyeonjong, by a local magistrate named Yi Se-hwa. It is said that at the time of its completion, there were three ponds near the pavilion, two of which remain today. The Memorial Stone for Yi Se-hwa stands to the east of the pavilion, while the area presumed to have contained the third pond is now a rice paddy. The pavilion has a half-hipped roof with single-layered eaves, and measures three kan at the front and sides, although one kan on the side measures the size of half a kan, giving the building a rectangular shape.

Janggyeongsa Temple (Gyeonggi-do Cultural Heritage Material No. 15)In 1624, the 2nd year of the reign of King Injo, when Namhansanseong was repaired, a Buddhist monk named Byeogamgakseong was appointed as Dochongseop (General Commissioner) of the eight provinces, and he summoned monks from all around the country to repair and rebuild the fortress. Upon completion of the work, soldier-monks were stationed at the fortress, and Janggyeongsa Temple was built to accommodate them in 1638, the 16th year of the reign of King Injo. The temple, measuring six kan at the front and one kan at the sides, is a gable-roofed building with single-layered eaves and round windbreaks, a short and narrow wooden veranda, and a two-sided sliding door adorned with a 卍 design. Among the buildings remaining at the fortress, only Janggyeongsa Temple has been preserved in its original form.

Mangwolsa Temple (Gyeonggi-do Monument No. 111)Mangwolsa Temple, which has a long history, is believed to have originated from Mangwolam Hermitage, and was one of the ten Buddhist temples located within the ground of Namhansanseong Fortress. It is said that during the construction of the new royal capital during the reign of King Taejo of the Joseon dynasty, Janguisa Temple in Seoul was demolished and many of its most valuable possessions, including Buddhist statues and a copy of the Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra) printed in gold, were relocated to Mangwolsa Temple. Although the original Mangwolsa Temple was completely destroyed by the Japanese colonial authorities, the four current temple buildings were restored at a later date. Mangwolsa Temple boasts a number of splendid buildings such as Daeungjeon Hall, Geumdang Hall, and two Yosachae (the living quarters of the monks) buildings, a thirteen-story Sarira Tower of Sakyamuni Buddha, and stone railings. The embankment of the temple gives a rough idea of the size and layout of the old Mangwolsa Temple. A large millstone from the temple has been preserved as a valuable artifact.

Gaewonsa Temple (Gyeonggi-do Monument No. 119)Gaewonsa Temple was built as the main temple for the monks who gathered from all over the country to repair and defend Namhansanseong. It remained prosperous until the Uiseungbangbeonje system, whereby monks engaged in military service at Namhansanseong for a certain period of time, was abolished by the Gabo Reforms of 1894, the 31st year of the reign of King Gojong. The original temple was destroyed by the Japanese colonial authorities in 1907. The current temple buildings were built in 1976. The foundation stones of the armory, pavilion, and bell tower sites still remain, giving us a rough idea of the size and layout of the old Gaewonsa Temple. The temple also preserves such artifacts as a Yubun, a monk’s staff, earthenware vessels and wooden