Gyeongsang Left Naval Headquarters Fortress Site

Gyeongsang Left Naval Headquarters Fortress was the base where the commander-in-chief of the Gyeongsang Left Naval Command was stationed. It was originally at Busanpo, then moved to Gaeunpo in Ulsan in 1459, during the reign of King Sejo, and later relocated again to Namchon (present-day Suyeong-dong) in Dongnae, said to be shortly before the Japanese invasions, although the exact date is uncertain. In 1636, the 13th year of King Injo, flooding on the Sacheon (also called Suyeongcheon) buried the waterway at the wharf, blocking the sea route, so the headquarters was moved again to Gammanipo. However, because Gammanipo was close to Waegwan, the Japanese trading settlement, and there was concern that military secrets might leak, it was moved back to Busanpo in 1652, the 3rd year of King Hyojong, and remained in use there until the naval base was abolished in 1894, the 31st year of Emperor Gojong, under military reforms. It is not known exactly when the fortress was first built, but the present structure is presumed to have been built when the headquarters was relocated again from Gammanipo to Namchon in 1692, the 18th year of King Sukjong. Gyeongsang Left Naval Headquarters Fortress is a stone fortress with a circumference of about 2,785m and a height of 4m. It had four wells, four gates and four water outlets, along with three ongseong (crescent-shaped enclosures built outside the gates to strengthen defence) and six or seven chiseong (projecting bastions), both built to reinforce the fortress's defences. It was staffed by the naval commander of the Gyeongsang Left Naval Command and his subordinate officers, and seven garrisons under its command operated a total of 65 warships and 45 ferry boats to defend the eastern coast of Gyeongsang Province. During the Japanese colonial period the fortress was poorly maintained and most of it collapsed; today only the walls and the south gate, a rainbow-shaped arch, remain.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Suyeong-gu, Busan

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물