Gongsanseong Fortress
공산성
A fortress wrapping the valleys of a low hill on the south bank of the Geum River. It was the walled capital while Baekje's court sat at Ungjin, and remained a seat of provincial administration into the Joseon period. Originally earthen, it was rebuilt in stone under Joseon.
Language
Place information
- Korean name
- 공산성
- Address
- 2 Sanseong-dong, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
History
until 538
The walled capital of Ungjin Baekje
It served as Baekje's walled capital until the court moved to Buyeo in 538, the sixteenth year of King Seong. Under Baekje it was called Ungjinseong.
660
After the fall, and the restoration movement
King Uija stayed here briefly immediately after Baekje fell, and the fortress then became a base of the Baekje restoration movement.
822
The revolt of Kim Heon-chang
Kim Heon-chang's revolt broke out here during the Unified Silla period.
1623
Yi Gwal's revolt and King Injo's flight
King Injo fled here during Yi Gwal's revolt. From his reign onward the fortress was known as Ssangsusanseong.
21 January 1963
Designated a Historic Site
Designated as a Historic Site covering 376,645.3 square metres.
1993
The east and west gates rebuilt
Yeongdongnu was rebuilt on the east gate site and Geumseoru on the west, both of which had survived only as foundations. The south gate Jinnamnu and the north gate Gongbungnu were still standing.
2015
Inscribed as World Heritage
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the eight sites making up the Baekje Historic Areas.
What to see
Gongbungnu, the north gate
The gate pavilion on the north wall. Stepping out of it put you at the ferry across the Geum River, so this one gate explains how the fortress sat against the water.
From earth to stone
Roughly 800 metres east to west and 400 north to south. It began as an earthen rampart and was rebuilt in stone under Joseon, so the wall you walk today runs Baekje work into Joseon work.
Gongbungnu, the north gate selected
Nearby
Stories about this place
- Gongsanseong in Gongju: What to See at Baekje's Ungjin Fortress
Gongsanseong served as Baekje's capital until 538 and continued to be used as a fortress for centuries afterward, including during King Injo's flight from Yi Gwal's revolt in 1623.
