Hoamsanseong Fortress, Seoul

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.343

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

통일신라

Designated year

1991

Location

금천구, 서울특별시— 서울 금천구 시흥동 산83-1번지 외

Coordinates

37.444608, 126.921545

Encircling the summit of the mountain, Hoamsanseong Fortress was used during the Unified Silla Period. It had circumference of 1,250m and vestiges remaining along a 300m section. Hanumul (also named “han”) is a well located in Hoamsanseong, which is at the peak of Hoamsan Mountain. An excavation unearthed two wells and four building sites as well as many relics. Hanumul of the Joseon Dynasty is 22m east to west, 12m south to north, and 1.2m deep. In another well site, a bronze spoon was excavated with an engraving in Chinese characters – “ingbeollaeryeokjinaemi (仍伐內力只內未)” -- identifying the year when it was produced. In the vicinity of the well site, a Seoksusang (animal statue) in the shape of a dog was also found. The statue appears to be related to a fable telling how a dog protected Seoul from a fire during the Joseon Dynasty. In Hanumul, a rock engraved with the Chinese letters “石拘池” (seokguji) was found. The reason the rock was engraved with “seokguji” may have been because this pond was related to Seoksusang.

Location