Seolbongsanseong Fortress, Icheon

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.423

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

백제시대

Designated year

2000

Location

이천시, 경기도— 경기 이천시 사음동 산24번지 외

Coordinates

37.285202, 127.416852

Seolbongsan Mountain is the guardian mountain of Icheon. Seolbongsanseong Fortress sits on an area of alpine land (covering 30,000 pyeong) on the 7th and 8th ridges of the mountain in an area commonly called Kalbawi. Embracing a valley, the fortress walls are mostly made of earth, but some parts are made of stone. Most of the stone parts of the wall have fallen or got buried; below the peak of the mountain, however, remains of the stone walls measuring 3 to 10 meters long can be seen in some places. Seolbongsanseong was a large-scale fortress of the Three Kingdoms Period as suggested by the remains discovered in the area. Including the stone walls, stone pieces and earthenware fragments as well as nine foundation stones are laid out regularly to form a building site measuring 9 meters along the front and 6.3m along the side. The flat land of the western ridge below the summit is assumed to be a command post site because of the foundation stones found there. There are also stones with holes in them -- presumably for the colors -- as well as three mounds of stones that appear to have been thrown in battle. Nearby are traces of a well, which is absolutely necessary in a fortress, a sluice gate, and the northern fortress gate. The fortress appears to have been built by Goguryeo soldiers between 475 (63rd year of the reign of King Jangsu) when Goguryeo defeated Baekje and occupied the area south of Hangang River, building the town of Namcheon-hyeon, and 551 (12th year of the reign of King Jinheung) when Silla and Baekje reclaimed the area. From the summit, a clear view of the surrounding area where fierce battles for power were waged from the Three Kingdoms Period can be had; in other words, the fortress was strategically located, playing a very important military role.

Location