Mangwol Battery, Ganghwa

A dondae is a small-scale observation and defence post built along a coastline or border area. Soldiers stood guard inside the dondae, watching for enemy reconnaissance and any other suspicious activity and responding accordingly; when enemies invaded, troops used the weapons stored inside to mount a defence. This dondae, located in Mangwol-ri, was built by stacking stones measuring 40–120cm into a rectangular shape; a low parapet wall of earthen brick once ran along the top of the fortification wall, but only traces of it remain today. Mangwol Battery was one of 48 battery forts built in 1679, the fifth year of King Sukjong, and it belonged directly to the Jinmuyeong, the regional military command on Ganghwado Island. It has a square plan with a perimeter of 124m, and its stone walls stand 180–300cm high. Unlike most battery forts, which are sited on high ground along the coast, Mangwol Battery was built on low-lying tidal-flat land; even so, with nothing blocking the view, it served perfectly well as a watch post. Gyeryong Battery lies to the south and Mutae Battery to the north. The long wall running alongside the battery was built when King Gojong of Goryeo moved the capital here to Ganghwado Island, in order to strengthen coastal defences. It had six gates topped with pavilions and seven floodgates through which tidal water passed.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Ganghwa, Incheon

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료