Deokjinjin Fort, Ganghwa

This was a strategic point in the outer wall that guarded the Ganghwa Strait during the Goryeo period. After the Byeongja War, the Manchu invasion of 1636, twelve garrisons—consisting of inner and outer walls, batteries (dondae) and forts (jinbo)—were built to defend Ganghwado Island, and Deokjinjin was one of them. In the seventh year of King Hyeonjong (1666), to strengthen national defence, Deokjinjin, which had belonged to a naval base, was relocated to Deokpo. In the fifth year of King Sukjong (1679), it took command of the Yongdu and Deokjin batteries and administered the Deokjin and Namjang gun batteries, making it known as the strongest artillery position on the Ganghwa Strait and giving it charge of the most important of Ganghwa's twelve garrisons. During the Byeongin War of 1866, the army of Yang Heon-su passed through Deokjinjin on its way to Jeongjoksanseong Fortress, where it defeated the French forces, and during the Sinmi War of 1871 it was the site of the fiercest artillery duel with the American fleet. It was nevertheless occupied by American forces that had landed at Chojijin. At that time the low walls built around the buildings, behind which soldiers could shelter to fight the enemy, were all destroyed. In 1976 the fortress walls and batteries were repaired, the Namjang gun battery was also rebuilt, the gate tower—three bays across the front and two bays deep—was re-erected, and cannon of the period were reproduced and installed. The name was changed from "Deokjinjin" to "Deokjinjin Fort, Ganghwa" (notified 28 July 2011).

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Ganghwa, Incheon

Designation

Historic Site · 사적