Hwaseong Fortress

Hwaseong Fortress wes built by Jo Sim-tae, county governor of Hwaseong,under the supervision of Prime Minister Chae Je-gong, based on the theories of fortress designs of Yu Hyeong-won and Jeong Yak-yong, scholars of the Practical School. The most scientific of all fortress walls in Korea, its structures are elaborately arranged, assuming graceful and majestic aspects. Nothing a few special features of the fortress: stone and mud bricks were used in combination; a modern structure of defense was prepared not only against arrows, spears and swords,but also against guns; the materials standardized and the machines such as conventional cranes were used.

The total length of the wall is 5.7 kilometers. Various kinds of structures are systematically arranged, including the gates of Changnyongmun Gate to the east, Hwaseomun Gate to the west, Paldalmun Gate to the south and Janganmun Gate to the north, as well as a variety of towers. A royal palace was built at the foot of Mt.Paldalsan for the king to stay temporarily while visiting Hyeonreungwon (the Yungneung Mausoleum of today).

However, the walls become dilapidated and the structure collapsed after a lapse of more than 200 years.The gate tower was destroyed during the Korean War and reconstructed 1975. The section between Paldalmun gate and the southeast tower couldn't be restored because the city business area had already occupied a part of the wall site at that time. Hwaseong Fortress was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site at the 21st general meeting of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO, held in Naples on December 4,1997.

"Hwaseong is a military building of the early modern times, fully equipped with the most advanced and scientific features in the oriental and occidental world. " (Execution Board of World Heritage Committee)

"Hwaseong has a unique historic significance as it was built combined with features of castle types both in Europe and in far-eastern Asia, It is representative of 18th century military building."(International Monument Relics Association)

"Hwaseong has only 200 years history, but each building of the castle has a distinctive artistic value. (Prof. Nimal De Silva)