jukjusanseong (죽주산성)
Jukjusanseong was originally constructed during the Three Kingdoms Period, most likely by Silla. It was repaired and potentially upgraded during the Goryeo Period with stouter walls. Then again during the Joseon Period with projections which facilitated cannon fire to sweep the base of the fortress’s graceful walls. Jukjusanseong is unique in that it is made up of concentric walls, though each seems to have been built by a succeeding dynasty. The outer wall was built by Silla, the middle wall by Goryeo, and the inner wall by Joseon. All that said, this is the first use of defense in depth I’ve seen in a Korean fortification. More interesting, Jukjusanseong was the site of a 15-day siege by the Mongols in 1234 made famous by a crafty deception by the garrison commander which convinced the invaders to lift the siege and withdraw.
As usual…the scenery surrounding this sanseong is incredible.
This very interesting stretch of wall resembles the fully stone construct at Samnyeonsanseong, though it still lays flat with the parapet.
The different colored stone hints at the reconstruction work done. It blends nicely and maintains the continuity of the elegantly curved walls.
A small gate…or what’s left of it.
Another stretch of very thick masonry. This one goes on for several hundred meters.
It was difficult to capture, but this is the point at which two walls meet.
A small gate marks the junction of the two walls, allowing access to the inner area. The outer wall heads down the hill into pretty thick vegetation.
After a while you can barely make out the stone glacis.
Back to what we believed to be the middle wall. The thickness of the masonry atop the parapet continued to fascinate us.
A stone structure atop an incredible overlook was quite unique. We thought it might simply be the foundation stones for a pavilion, but a sign nearby indicated it was actually a tower for cannon.
The wildflowers everywhere on Jukjusanseong were blooming, but nowhere were they as decorative as this section of wall.
As usual, Korean fortresses made careful use of hydrology, allowing garrisons to hold out much longer than enemies generally thought possible, greatly aiding the ability of defenders to hold their ground.
Reconstruction of the water reservoirs at Jukjusanseong bears out the interesting design and careful water management.
The final reservoir was, apparently, a koi pond made famous during the siege. After several failed assaults the Mongols settled down to wait out the defenders, thinking them short on water. Goryeo General Song Munju reportedly had a fat koi fish plucked from the pond and delivered to the Mongol commander…hinting at their adequate supplies of water. The Mongols, their plans frustrated, lifted the siege and withdrew, saving the entire garrison.
A shrine to General Song graces the inside of this fortress. A memorial service recognizes General Song’s victory every year.