Suwon was one of the four main regional government centers during the Joseon Dynasty. The Hwaseong Fortress was built to protect the city, which was designated as a cultural asset for its historical value.
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress was built in 1796 by King Jeongjo under the general supervision of the former prime minister, the head of central government affairs, and the vice envoy. During the two years of construction, many new machines were specifically designed to move and pile up big stones. Following the completion of the fortress, other minor facilities were smoothly built. However, most of them were destroyed in wars and riots, and part of the fortress was destroyed or lost during the Japanese Occupation Era and the Korean War. Fortunately, the fortress was repaired afterwards.
The fortress is a piled-stone and brick fortress that surrounds the center of Suwon. Its massive walls are 5.74 km in length and remain almost as they were in their original form, constructed 200 years ago. The Suwoncheon Stream, the mainstream of Suwon, flows through the center. The walls include a number of defensive features, most of which are intact, such as floodgates, observation towers, command posts, multiple arrow launcher towers, firearm bastions, angle towers, secret gates, beacon towers, bastions, and bunkers.
There are four main gates at the cardinal points. The Paldalmun Gate in the south and the Janganmun Gate in the north are impressive with their two-story wooden structures on stone bases. Both sides are built with gated platforms and half-moon-shaped ravelins. In addition, the Hwaseomun Gate in the west and Changnyongmun Gate in the east are one-story structures that are protected by ravelins.
King Jeongjo built the fortress to show filial piety towards his father and create a new pioneer city with its own economic power. The fortress had a great influence on the development of Korean architecture, urban planning, and the arts. Not only is it a defensive weapon, but it also shows its uniqueness in combining military, political, and commercial functions.
Overview of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
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