Gongsanseong Fortress
Gongsanseong Fortress in Gongju protected Ungjin, the new capital of Baekje
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Planning the visit
Gongsanseong Fortress is stop 1 of 7 on the Baekje Antiquity Route.
The stamp is not at the site itself but at the Tourist information center (stamp book), ticket office (stamp), so check the opening hours of that building rather than the site.
Admission is charged: Adults KRW 1,200 / Teenagers KRW 800 / Children KRW 600.
The two closest stamp points are Magoksa Temple, 15 km away, and Donamseowon at 27 km. All three fit into one day.
Details
- Address
- 280, Woongjin-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
- Stamp zone
- Tourist information center (stamp book), ticket office (stamp)
- Hours
- 09:00-18:00 (Closed on the day of Seollal and Chuseok)
- Admission
- Adults KRW 1,200 / Teenagers KRW 800 / Children KRW 600
- Phone
- 041-856-7700
- Coordinates
- 36.46314, 127.12644
What the campaign says about it
Gongsanseong Fortress is a major fortress from the Baekje era, surrounded by mountains and valleys along the Geumgang River. It was originally built using compacted earth, but in the Joseon Dynasty, stone blocks were stacked on top of each other, turning it into a stone fortress. Early on in its life, Gongsanseong Fortress was called “Ungjinseong Fortress,” but it became known as Gongsanseong Fortress or “Gongjusanseong Fortress” since the Goryeo Dynasty. Gongsanseong Fortress, which did serve as the royal castle of Baekje until the capital was moved to Buyeo in 538 (the 16th year of King Seong), was a major hub for local administration until the Joseon Dynasty. In fact, archaeologists have discovered plenty of artifacts from the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasty periods in addition to tiles and earthenware from Baekje at Gongsanseong Fortress. The Fortress also appears in several landmark events in Korean history. Immediately after the fall of Baekje, King Uija stayed at Gongsanseong Fortress for a while, then it became a foothold for a local movement aimed at reviving the defunct kingdom of Baekje. During the Unified Silla period, Kim Heon-chang began his rebellion (822 CE) at Gongsanseong Fortress as well. Meanwhile, during the Joseon Dynasty, when Yi Gwal defied the throne with his own rebellion (1623 CE), King Injo was forced to take refuge at Gongsanseong Fortress for a while. The way the Fortress’ walls stretch boldly and powerfully along the ridge line is a reminder of Baekje’s brave and enterprising spirit. The structure that serves as the main gate to this imposing fortress is named Geumseoru. If you enter through the gate and take a walk around the Fortress, you can enjoy some interesting features inside the Fortress as well as a bird’s eye view of downtown Gongju. Particularly from the west gate, you will see the tombs of King Muryeong in Gongju and the Royal Tombs Park (tumuli in Songsan-ri, Gongju), religious relics from the Baekje period at Jeongjisan Mountain, and Gomanaru Port on the banks of Geumgang River off in the distance.
Quoted from the Visit Korean Heritage Campaign.
Getting there
Take a bus bound for Gongju at the Seoul Express Bus Terminal → Get off at Gongju Bus Terminal → Take bus no. 200 at the Central Bus Terminal (to Yukryong-dong) bus stop → Get off at the Gongsanseong (Sanseong Market) bus stop → Walk for 9 minutes
Photographs
Photographs supplied by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation.