Dongnae Eup Fortress Site

An eupseong is a walled town fortress built to protect the residents of a county or district while serving both military and administrative functions. Dongnae Eup Fortress was built across Maansan Mountain, hilly ground, and the flat area of the Dongnae town centre, and is thought to date from the late Goryeo to early Joseon period. According to the Goryeosa (History of Goryeo), the fortress was repaired in 1021, the twelfth year of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo, and later, in 1387, the thirteenth year of King U, Dongnae Fortress was extensively rebuilt against Japanese pirate raids, giving it a reported circumference of 3,090 cheok and a height of 13 cheok. As the first line of defence against Japanese invaders, this fortress, together with Busanjinseong Fortress, became a primary target when the Imjin War broke out in the Joseon period, and fierce fighting took place here. Left neglected after the war, it was rebuilt and enlarged in 1731, the seventh year of King Yeongjo of Joseon, when it measured 1,729 cheok in circumference and had gates at four points: the east gate, Jihuiru; the west gate, Simseongnu; the south gate, Muuru; and a hidden gate, Eunilru (a small, concealed gateway designed to escape the enemy's notice). The south gate has an ikseong, a wing-like wall extending to either side as if spreading two wings, while the other three gates each have an ongseong, a round or square enclosing wall built outside the gate to protect it and strengthen the fortress's defences. During the Japanese colonial period most of the walls on level ground were demolished, and only the fortifications around Maansan Mountain survive today. The north gate and its ongseong, together with the Dongjangdae and Seojangdae command posts, have now been partially restored.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Dongnae-gu, Busan

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물