GANGHWA COUNTY

The Outer Wall of Ganghwa Fortress was first built along the eastern coast of Ganghwa during the Goryeo period, when Ganghwa served as the capital. In 1690, the 16th year of the reign of King Sukjong, the king ordered the ruined outer wall to be rebuilt. Construction began in 1691, the 17th year of his reign, and the outer wall was completed in 1692, the 18th year, with battlements added. The outer wall completed during King Sukjong’s reign extended from Sukryong Dondae to Choji Dondae. Most sections were built by soldiers mobilized from the Three Military Commands—Geumwiyeong, Eoyeongcheong, and Hullyeondogam—while the Ganghwa Magistrate’s Office constructed some sections independently. After King Sukjong’s reign, the wall underwent several rounds of reinforcement because of collapses and other damage. Originally an earthen wall (土城), it was partly rebuilt in stone (石城), and some sections were later constructed of brick. Under the supervision of Kim Si-hyeok, the magistrate of Ganghwa, the outer wall was reconstructed between 1742, the 18th year of the reign of King Yeongjo, and 1744, the 20th year, using bricks rather than earth or stone. This brick-built section is known as Ganghwa Jeonseong (江華塼城). A section of Ganghwa Jeonseong below Odu Dondae has been repaired and restored. Ganghwa Jeonseong was formerly designated as Incheon Metropolitan City Monument No. 20, but the designation was lifted when it was incorporated into the Outer Wall of Ganghwa Fortress following the latter’s designation as a Historic Site.