Namsansinseong Fortress, Gyeongju

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.22

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

신라 진평왕 13년(591)

Designated year

1963

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경북 경주시 인왕동 산56번지 외 10필

Coordinates

35.793705, 129.228796

Located in the northern area of Namsan Mountain of Gyeongju, this fortress was constructed in the Silla Era and is also called Namsansinseong. This fortress was first built in 591, the 13th year of the reign of King Jinpyeong (579-632), the 26th ruler of Silla (57 B.C.-A.D. 935). The fortress was enlarged by King Munmu (661-681), the 30th ruler, and he also had storehouses -- for provisions and weapons -- constructed within the fortress. Several shards of the fortress stele have been discovered, inscribed with the names, titles, and homes of the people involved with the construction of the fortress. There is also an inscribed agreement stating that, should the fortress be destroyed within three years, those involved in its construction should be punished. The inscriptions suggest that the workers came from all over the country. The fortress is one of the four major walls along with Seonhyeongsanseong in the west, Myeonghwalseong in the east, and Bukhyeongsanseong in the north, designed to protect Gyeongju, the capital of Silla.

Location