Exploring Myeoncheon Fortress: A Glimpse into Joseon History
I visited Myeoncheon Fortress, which served as a military and administrative center in the Naepo region during the Joseon Dynasty.
This fortress is relatively well-preserved, making it an important resource for the study of town fortresses from the Joseon era.
On the day I visited, it was snowing, which made walking atop the fortress a bit daunting. However, I took each step while recalling the soldiers who once patrolled this area.
Most town fortresses built in Korea were constructed to fend off invasions from Japanese pirates. The frequent raids along the west coast caused significant suffering among the people, prompting the construction of fortresses in key coastal areas.
Myeoncheon Fortress played a crucial role as a defensive stronghold in the Naepo region.
The walls surrounding the fortress are meticulously built with bricks and earth to prevent entry.
For reference, Myeoncheon Fortress in Dangjin was constructed in the style of a flatland fortress, utilizing the surrounding plains and hills.
Each gate managed access according to its characteristics, and the current restoration efforts have brought it closer to its original appearance.
I arrived at the south gate and the bastion, which were used to defend against Japanese forces during the Joseon period.
Walking from the west wall through the southwestern bastion to the south wall, south gate, and bastion, I realized how vast the area protected by the fortress actually is.
Notably, the south gate has been restored to a two-story pavilion, becoming a symbolic structure of Myeoncheon Fortress.
There were spaces on the walls for archers and cannons. I felt a bit disappointed that the cannons and arrows were removed during my visit, but it was likely in line with the fortress's nature.
Upon passing through the south gate, visitors can see various flags representing the military banners of the Joseon era.
These flags symbolize the directions of east, west, south, north, and center, indicating the military's position and command structure.
Nearby, a monument has been erected to remember those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Further in is the Myeoncheon Gunjajeong, a pond created by military officer Gwak Chung-ryong beside the guesthouse during the reign of King Gongmin of Goryeo.
It is recorded that the pond was constructed in the year of Gyehae in the late 1800s, and in 1803, the then governor of Myeoncheon renovated the area, creating a round island and adding an octagonal pavilion on top of it.
Personally, I was excited to see the Myeoncheon ginkgo tree, which is over a thousand years old and impressively thick.
Surrounding the ginkgo tree, wishes for 2026 were hanging, resembling a protective tree for the village.
Lastly, I explored the area where a guesthouse was built on the site of an old elementary school.
The guesthouse was a place where foreign envoys stayed and held banquets during their visits.
Myeoncheon Fortress serves not only as a historical site but also as a living history classroom to understand the local administration and military systems of the Joseon Dynasty, as well as fortification techniques.
I hope you can feel the wisdom of our ancestors and the footprints of history in this place where the past and present coexist.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/dangjin2030/224168450483
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