Samnyeonsanseong Fortress, Boeun

The Samguk Sagi records that Silla built this fortress in 470 and that it took three years — hence the name, 'three-year fortress'. It was the forward base for Silla's push west into Baekje's country, and it worked: two centuries later King Muyeol received a Tang envoy here during the campaign that destroyed Baekje. It is remarkable for how much of the original is still standing. The wall is 1.7 kilometres round and built entirely of dressed stone laid in alternating courses, with an outer face and a rubble core so thick — up to twenty metres at the base in places — that it has stood for fifteen centuries with little more than patching. Notice the west gate: the threshold stone is set well above the ground, so that the gate could not be rushed and the doors swung against a stop. Inside is a small reservoir and a great deal of quiet. The climb from the car park is fifteen minutes; the circuit of the wall takes an hour, with the plain of Boeun laid out below on all sides.

Original Text

Where it is

Region

Boeun, Chungbuk

Designation

Historic Site · 사적