The Last Fortification of Baekje, Busosanseong Fortress

We have now arrived at Busosanseong Fortress , which was built to protect the last capital city of Baekje. Baekje was located in the southwestern part of the Korean Peninsula during the period between 18 B.C and 660 A.D. Baekje established a powerful kingdom around Han River region, and also succeeded to build the foundation for diplomacy and economic relations with Japan and China. However, in 475, Baekje was threatened by emerging power of Goguryeo in the north and the capital city of Baekje was relocated to the south, Gongju. The king of Baekje then resolved a tense political situation and successfully stabilized the kingdom.

Although the new capital of Gongju had a natural defensive advantage in terms of preventing enemy attacks, its location limited the kingdom’s potential for expansion into new territory. So, in 538, the king relocated the capital to the south again, this time to Buyeo. It was an area selected for its wide plains and proximity to a deep river, to enable greater development of the kingdom.

Although the kingdom continued to suffer from both natural disasters and invasions by its rapacious neighboring kingdoms, the king and his people finally succeeded in constructing the new capital due to their determination and steadfast desire for a new beginning.

The new capital was protected by this Busosanseong Fortress . The river surrounding the fortress was advantageous as it both obstructed invaders and provided direct access to the main sea trade routes. The river also teamed with trading vessels from China, Japan and other Southeast Asian countries, transforming Buyeo into a city of active international exchange.

Thirteen hundred years later, the palace of Baekje no longer exists, but some buildings have been restored to revive the flavor of the kingdom. The fortress also provides quiet and comfortable hiking routes for tourists. Along the network of enjoyable forest trails, you will see not only various species of trees including pine and white oak, but also squirrels and pheasants.

It takes approximately two hours to look around the historic sites here. The walking route may be slightly strenuous but it is worth the effort. Let’s go to Samchung Shrine first and meet three loyalists from the Baekje kingdom.