Mongmasanseong Fortress, Changnyeong

This is a pogok-sik fortress, a type enclosing a valley rather than a single peak, taking in the valley of low hills that runs west from the northern summit of Hwawangsan Mountain, east of Changnyeong. The date of its construction is not certainly known, but it is thought that the fortress already existed when Silla's King Jinheung, having fully conquered Daegaya, established a lower provincial seat (haju) in this area. Numerous Gaya-period tombs in the vicinity provide material for estimating its date. The fortress is also known to be closely connected with the Japanese invasions of 1592. With a circumference of 1.9 km it is a very large fortress by comparison with others, and its stone walls remain in relatively good condition. Its form is typical of mountain fortresses commonly seen in the Three Kingdoms period, and, since its front faces the mouth of the valley, it appears to have been built for defensive purposes. As the fortress is named Mongmasanseong ('horse-grazing mountain fortress'), it is possible that in later periods it was used as a pasture for raising horses. It is very close in scale to the nearby historic site of Hwawangsanseong Fortress, but differs from it in form, making the two valuable material for comparing the styles of mountain fortresses within the same region. The name was changed from 'Mongmasanseong Fortress' to 'Mongmasanseong Fortress, Changnyeong' (announced 28 July 2011).

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Changnyeong, Gyeongnam

Designation

Historic Site · 사적