Jangmisanseong Fortress, Chungju

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.400

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

삼국시대(고구려)

Designated year

1997

Location

충주시, 충청북도— 충북 충주시 가금면 장천리 산77-1번지 외

Coordinates

37.046491, 127.857143

This fortress was built on a mountain to block any conceivable enemy attack using the rough terrains of mountains. Built along the ridge of Jangmisan Mountain in the Three Kingdoms Period, the 2.9km long fortress was located by Namhangang River, running around Chungju, an important center for transportation. The 14th volume of Sinjeung dongguk yeoji seungnam (New Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea) says thus: “There is an old fortress about 11km west of the river.” Daedongjiji (Geography of the Great East) also states that “there are old remains of a fortress on Jangmisan Mountain.” The excavation in 1992 confirmed it to be the remains of an old fortress from the Three Kingdoms Period. The excavated fragments of earthenware and roof tiles suggest an important historical fact -- that Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla occupied this fortress one after another. The wall of the fortress has been preserved very well save for the wall around Bonghaksa Temple on the northern part of the fortress. The wall was built with roughly trimmed cubic stones as clearly shown by the southern and southwestern parts of the wall. The trench along the wall on the northern height of the fortress was built with the same materials as those used for building the wall. Together, the Daerimsanseong fortress to the south, an earthen fortification on Tangeumdae Height across the river, the Chungjisanseong fortress, and this fortress were believed to have protected one another. The construction date of the fortress and building purpose could be roughly estimated because the fortress has a very similar terrain to that of Odusanseong Fortress (Historic Site No. 351) in Paju. With the Goguryeo Monument and the royal tombs of the Silla Dynasty surrounding it, this fortress proves that this area around Chungju was a strategically important location in the Three Dynasty Period.

Location