Wahyeon Beacon Station, Geoje

A beacon station (bongsudae) was an old means of communication that used torches and smoke to send urgent news: signallers climbed high mountains and lit fires, sending signals by smoke in the daytime and by firelight at night. Wahyeon Beacon Station in Geoje stands beside Mangsan Mountain, 303m above sea level, in Wahyeon-ri and Gujora-ri, Irun-myeon, and lies within about 5km of Jiseposeong Fortress. In its present state, the ground at the summit appears to have been levelled and then built up in two tiers of stone wall: the lower course appears to be the protective wall, while the upper course is presumed to be the collapsed remains of the beacon-fire platform. The protective wall is presumed to have been built in a circular form like a fence, with projections set at regular intervals, possibly to reinforce the stonework. The protective wall is in very good condition, with its stonework largely intact, and entrance stair facilities also remain. The beacon-fire platform appears to have collapsed, and its scale, height and the state of its stonework cannot be clearly determined; however, since the fallen stones remain piled as they fell, a survey would likely reveal the structure's original form. Traces of building sites remain around the protective wall, some paved remains have also been exposed, and an open area where a building site may survive has been confirmed a short distance from the beacon station. Among surviving beacon stations, Wahyeon-ri Beacon Station is very well preserved, with stonework of considerable scale, and is notable for the neatness of its construction. Although the specific function of Wahyeon Beacon Station is not certain, the condition and scale of its stonework suggest that it played an important role, making it a valuable source of information.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Geoje, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물