Defense Facilities of the Fortress

Mongchontoseong Fortress was built to defend the city and royal palace. It was equipped with many facilities to enhance its defense system. Among these facilities, the moat and wooden fences stand out.

The moat was a water-filled trench encircling the fortress, serving as a barrier against unauthorized access or invasion. Moats, excellent for protecting castles or fortresses, were found not only in Asia but also in many European castles from the Middle Ages.

At times, natural streams near the fortress acted as moats. For example, the moat discovered in Mongchontoseong Fortress was artificially constructed by manipulating the flow of Seongnaecheon Stream, a branch of Hangang River.

Mongchonho Lake, located in front of the Seoul Olympic Museum, and 88 Pond in Olympic Park are modern recreations of the moat that once surrounded the fortress.

Wooden fences were made by driving stakes into the ground. As you walk along the fortress, you can see the restored wooden fences. Holes were drilled into the bedrock underground, and central pillars were installed at uniform intervals. Supplementary pillars were installed to support the overall structure. The height of each fence likely exceeded 2 meters.

Although these wooden fences were discovered only on the east and west walls of Mongchontoseong Fortress, it is probable that the people of Baekje built similar defenses in many other areas. While the fortress currently serves as a peaceful walking trail and a sightseeing spot, it was once filled with tension as it defended against potential enemies. These wooden fences, serving as the second line of defense, played a crucial role in protecting the capital from enemy attacks. When adversaries attempted to cross the moat using boats or bridges and shot arrows, the wooden fences were there to thwart their advances.