Gongsanseong

Title is a link to information on Gongsanseong

Yesterday was my second trip in a row to the historical city of Gongju, after showing up at Gomdo to give a free English lesson, of course!!! I did my utmost to arrive earlier than last time; things were going well as I started off an hour earlier, only to find myself thwarted at Junju by an hour's wait for the next bus. So much for even attempting to extend my visit to Gongju.

On the way there I decided that I would see the fortress today, as the pictures gave the impression of a high wall and some buildings, unlike the remains of the fortress that surrounds Anguksa. I felt that I could do with the walk, despite the weather.

While I was walking round the fortress, my camera battery died, and I did not have replacements, so I have very few photographs. After that, there was little point in me continuing my way round the site, due to the cold. Disappointing, but the link above should help to make up for it.

Gongsanseong in Brief

This fortress was built during the Baekje dynasty out of mud, only to be reconstructed out of stone during the reigns of Joenjo and Jnjo. Gongju was the capital of the Baekje dynasty from the first year of King Munju's reign (AD 475) until the 16th year of King Seong's reign (AD538) when the capital was transferred to Buyeo. Not only was the fortress built to defend the capital, it was the centre of regional administration from the Baekje to the Joseon dynasties, as well as the temporary home of King Uija, even after the fall of Baekje.

The fortress also saw the Baekje revival movement in opposition to the Shilla-Dang combined army, and the uprising of Heon-chang in 882. Additionally, King Injo took hiding here in 1623 in the uprising of Lee Gwal.

The fortress houses the Gongbukru pavillion, Yeonji (lotus lake) and Manharu pavillion, Ssangsujeong, Geumseoru pavillion (the presumed site of the royal palace), Gwangbokru pavillion, Imryugak pavillion, Dongmunri pavillion, Myeongguksamjangbi tombstone and the Yougeunsa Temple.



Saw these at the beginning of the trail to the fortress. I see these wherever I go in Korea, but I am never sure if they are gravestones or Memorials.



This what I first saw of the fortress. You walk along the wall, rather than beside it.



The south gate pavillion, which was replaced by a stone wall at the beginning of the Jeosong Dynasty. In the past 50 years it has been dismantled and rebuilt several times.



This shows a bend in the wall that flanks the south gate.



Imryugak was the high rise building built east of the palace during the 22nd year(501) of King Dongseon’s reign, the 24th king of Baekje, about 25 years after Baekje moved the capital to Gongju. It was used for feasts of ministers, but damaged and disappeared. In 1980, the exploitation was conducted and in 1993, it was restored to the higher side than the original location. Restored Imryugak is the quadrangle building. Its side is 10.4m long and its dimension is 109㎡. The foundations are two-storied with total 42 columns, six columns to the south and seven columns to the east. The present Imryugak was the large pavilion built in accordance with these foundations. The records on the 22nd year of King Dongseong’s reign in Baekje History of The Historical Records of Three Kingdoms described that Imryugak was built east of the palace in spring. It is 5 Jang high. The pond was made and unique animals were raised in it.



View of Gonju, nestled in the valley.



The hill opposite holds Gongbukru pavillion (Provincial Cultural asset No.37), which can barely be seen. It was built in 1603 during King Seonju's reign, and used to be the North Gate of the fortressIn between where I am standing and the facing hill there is a steep decline to the basement of the fortress. In the bottom right the photo is the river Geumgang, the third longest river in Korea. Gongbukru was important in exchanges between the two sides of the river.



Some kind of gate in Yoemun plaza, opposite the site of the Fortress.