Historic Site of Cheonghaejin Fort, Wando

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.308

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

신라시대

Designated year

1984

Location

완도군, 전라남도— 전남 완도군 완도읍 장좌리 734번지

Coordinates

34.359410, 126.736901

Cheonghaejin was a naval and trade base established by General Jang Bo-go in 828, the 3rd year of the reign of King Heungdeok in Silla, and is located on Jangdo Island in the front sea of Wando Island. This location was an important one for maritime trade, connecting Silla with Tang and Japan. Born as a commoner, General Jang Bo-go (? - 846) studied abroad in Tang, finally becoming a general. Even though he could live in China, he returned to Silla because he was angry at seeing pirates enslaving the Silla people and set up Cheonghaejin with the permission of the king in 828. Cheonghaejin was a central area of international trade, monopolizing trade in East Asia to flourish and growing to obtain immense power. Since General Jang Bo-go was related to the power game regarding succession to the throne, he was assassinated by killer Yeom Jang in 846, and the fort was closed in 851, the 13th year of the reign of King Munseong. Traces of the terraced fortress are easily found all around Jangdo Island. The neighboring sea excluding the front sea has low depth, so a wooden defensive fence was built to block exterior access. The earthen vessel and the piece of tile were discovered within the fortress, and the site of Beophwasa Temple said to have been built by Jang Bo-go remains. Cheonghaejin was the base where Jang Bo-go defeated the pirates in the west-south coast at the end of Silla, serving as important historic remains as the base of maritime trade route connecting the Shandong area in China and Japan.

Location