Autumn Stroll at Jinjuseong Fortress: A Walk Through History and Scenery from Gongbukmun Gate to Chokseoknu Pavilion

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Autumn Stroll at Jinjuseong Fortress, where history and scenery blend,

From Gongbukmun Gate to Chokseoknu Pavilion

Jinju in October has a different feel right from the breeze. The air sweeping over the Namgang River is gentle, and the ancient fortress walls reflect the city's long history.

In this season of festivals, people visit Jinjuseong Fortress to see the lights of the Namgang Yudeung (Lantern) Festival or to encounter history flowing like the lanterns. But I visited Jinjuseong early in the morning to experience the autumn scenery.

Gongbukmun Gate, the main gate of Jinjuseong Fortress, is the first space that reveals the majesty of the fortress. It's also the gateway to Jinju's past.

Gongbukmun Gate served as the entrance to the Joseon Dynasty's garrison fortress, a departure point for soldiers during wars and a gate leading to the marketplace for the people in peaceful times.

The path to Bukjangdae starts from Gongbukmun Gate, leading to a gentle uphill slope. As you walk along the fortress wall, the sky above Jinju seems exceptionally high and clear.

Below the fortress walls, a small sluice gate sits heavily in a semi-circle. The old earthen cave, once used by soldiers as a shelter or to store gunpowder and military supplies during the Imjin War, and the statue of General Kim Si-min are visible.

The general's gaze is directed towards the Namgang River, conveying a sense of vigilance as if he is still guarding the fortress. The clear autumn sky shines upon his valor.

Turning your head while climbing the fortress wall, you can see the panoramic view of Jinju city beyond the stone wall. The mountain ridges in the distance connect softly as if touching the clouds, and the city's outline is clear under the clear sky.

Jinjuseong's Bukjangdae is a pavilion located on the highest hill at the northern end of the fortress. It served as a command post for Joseon Dynasty generals during battles and offered the best vantage point to oversee the entire fortress.

The building, with its red pillars and ornate dancheong (traditional Korean decorative coloring on wooden buildings), maintains its dignity amidst the traces of time.

Looking down from Bukjangdae, Jinjuseong is filled with autumn. Black tiled roofs are neatly connected, and the lush trees surrounding them are turning from green to yellow and red.

Inside the walls, a quiet courtyard and old pine trees are situated, and when the wind blows, fallen leaves scatter quietly and land on the stone steps.

Walking from Bukjangdae to Seojangdae along the forested fortress wall, the old stone wall silently continues along the path, bearing the weight of time, and a bamboo forest sways gently in the breeze beside it.

At the end of the path, you can see people walking towards Seojangdae. Travelers with families, visitors with cameras, and citizens quietly enjoying the scenery are all walking the same path in the same season.

Walking along, you can see the roofline of the Jinju National Museum through the trees. The forest around the museum is deepening into autumn. The green color is gradually fading, and red and yellow leaves are swaying at the ends of the branches, while visitors are slowly enjoying a stroll below.

The Jinjuseong Cannon Towers (Poru) were established in 1607 (the 40th year of King Seonjo's reign) when 12 cannon towers were installed inside and outside Jinjuseong Fortress by soldier Kim Tae-heo.

The traces of the rebuilt fortress have continued to this day.

On the way from the cannon towers to Seojangdae, the fortress wall continues gently, and the trees cast round shadows above, making it a great place for a walk.

On the way down to Changnyeolsa Shrine and Hoguksa Temple, looking up at the sky, I saw colorful umbrellas hanging between the branches. Blue, yellow, and green umbrellas sparkled in the sunlight between the maple leaves mixed with green and red, and I looked up at them for a long time.

Jinjuseong's Changnyeolsa Shrine was built to commemorate the soldiers, militia, and civilians who died in battle at Jinjuseong Fortress during the Imjin War. The name 'Changnyeol' means 'to reveal righteous merit' and was given to commemorate the loyalty of those who gave their lives for the country.

Inside the shrine, General Kim Si-min, Choi Gyeong-hoe, Cheongang, and No In-su, key figures in the Battle of Jinjuseong, are enshrined together.

Seojangdae, which I came to after climbing the stairs, served as the command post that defended Jinjuseong Fortress during the Imjin War. The current Seojangdae building was restored in 1934 during the Japanese colonial period.

'Jangdae' refers to a place where generals gave orders to soldiers or commanded military operations. Jinjuseong's Seojangdae is known as the place where General Kim Si-min commanded strategy during the Battle of Jinju (1592).

Climbing onto Seojangdae, the view opens up, and the Namgang River in Jinju comes into view. Sunlight sparkles silver on the river, and the structures of the Namgang Yudeung Festival float on it. The Cheonsu Bridge crosses the Namgang River in the distance, and low mountains surround it like a folding screen.

The scenery of the Namgang River viewed from Seojangdae is refreshing. Colorful lanterns float in a row on the river, and people strolling along the riverside promenade seem relaxed as they enjoy the autumn sunshine.

Taking a slow walk around the Jinjuseong Fortress trail, you can encounter the autumn scenery with various colors along with the citizens who are taking a walk.

Walking along the Jinjuseong Fortress trail, you can find traces of history and remembrance everywhere. The Independence Movement Memorial Tower, which appears between the calm green trees, is a place to commemorate the patriotic martyrs who devoted themselves to the country. There are various historical sites in Jinjuseong Fortress, such as museums and academies, so be sure to visit them.

The path towards Chokseoknu Pavilion is where the beauty of Jinjuseong Fortress is most apparent. Walking along the winding path along the fortress walls, you will walk along the Namgang River.

The path leading up to the Yeongnam Pojeongsa Munru is also filled with autumn. Walking up the promenade with a slight reddish hue, you can hear the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves.

Characters from fairy tales stand modestly along the road, reminding me of childhood memories, and the eaves of the gate tower in the distance add to the serene dignity.

Walking a little further, a path leading to the wide-open entrance appears, and citizens continue to stroll under the tunnel created by the lush roadside trees. The leisurely scenery of Jinjuseong Fortress and the daily lives of citizens blend together, making me lose track of time.

Inside Jinjuseong Fortress, if you go up the hill path a little away from Chokseoknu Pavilion, you will find the Jinju Ssangchungsa Historical Monument. This monument was erected to commemorate the loyalty of two loyal subjects, General Kim Si-min and Militia Leader Choi Gyeong-hoe, who gave their lives for the country during the Imjin War.

Finally arrived at Chokseoknu Pavilion. This is a historical pavilion overlooking the Namgang River and a symbol of Jinjuseong Fortress. The sunlight seeping through the red pillars, the color of the dancheong, and the shadows of the trees swaying slightly in the wind create a landscape painting.

Chokseoknu Pavilion was first built during the Goryeo Dynasty and was used as a pavilion in Jinju-mok during the Joseon Dynasty. In particular, it is a place deeply related to the Battle of Jinju during the Imjin War, and it is also where General Kim Si-min commanded the soldiers.

Climbing up to the pavilion, you can see the Namgang River and Jinju city at a glance, and the Namgang Bridge and the lanterns floating in the distance overlap.

And this is Jinjuseong Fortress' representative photo zone. The water of the Namgang River shining through the red pillars and the yellow color of the ginkgo trees sparkling in the autumn sunlight are in harmony, and citizens keep visiting.

Looking down beyond the pillars of Chokseoknu Pavilion, you can see Uigisa (Shrine of Righteous Woman) among the blue pine trees. As the name 'Uigi' suggests, it is a space to commemorate the righteousness of a woman who gave her life for the country.

Inside Uigisa, there is Uigiyeongdang (Portrait Hall of Righteous Woman), which enshrines the portrait of Nongae, and every October, citizens and visitors of Jinju gather to hold the Nongae Memorial Ceremony, so be sure to participate.

This is Chokseokmun Gate. It is the south gate of Jinjuseong Fortress and the site of the fierce battle of the Battle of Jinju during the Imjin War.

The name 'Chokseok' means 'steep rock' and embraces the terrain above the Namgang River cliff. Since ancient times, this place where the Namgang River and the fortress walls meet has been called a natural fortress.

During the Joseon Dynasty, goods and people traveled through this gate to and from the Namgang River ferry and the city, and during the war, it functioned as a major defense line to defend Jinjuseong Fortress.

Opposite Chokseoknu Pavilion is the Imjindaecheop Gyesasunuidan (Altar of Patriotic Martyrs of the Imjin Great Victory). It is a memorial altar built to commemorate the 70,000 patriotic martyrs who gave their lives for the country in the Battle of Jinjuseong and is located in the center of the southern hill of Jinjuseong Fortress.

During the Imjin War, there were two major battles at Jinjuseong Fortress. In the first battle in 1592, the Imjin Great Victory, the Joseon army defeated the Japanese army, but in the Battle of Jinjuseong in 1593, countless soldiers and people fought to the end and were all killed.

Since the late Joseon Dynasty, the people of Jinju have built an altar here and held ancestral rites to commemorate those who died in the Battle of Jinjuseong in Gyesa year.

On both sides, black steles are erected with the names and battle records of the martyrs, and the Jinju Great Victory Memorial Ceremony and the Sunuije Ceremony are held here in spring and autumn.

The path from Sunuidan to Gongbukmun Gate is lush with forest. Soft shadows follow along the stone path of the fortress. And it is full of autumn, making my body and mind cooler.

Below the road, newly renovated traditional buildings are neatly located, and benches and walking paths are placed throughout, adding to the relaxed atmosphere.

Autumn in Jinjuseong Fortress is a season where history stays and a landscape where people's footsteps stay. The journey that started at Gongbukmun Gate has autumn scenery and the daily lives of citizens together, passing through Bukjangdae, Seojangdae, and reaching Chokseoknu Pavilion.

In the deepening autumn, take a calm walk and enjoy the Jinjuseong Fortress trail. Fallen leaves are piled up along every path you walk along the stone wall, and you can admire the waves of the Namgang River seen beyond the fortress walls.

Source :https://blog.naver.com/pearl286/224057833710

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