GANGHWA COUNTY

Located at the summit of Manisan Mountain, Chamseongdan Altar is traditionally believed to be the altar where Dangun offered sacrifices to Heaven. It was repaired in 1270, the 11th year of the reign of King Wonjong of Goryeo, and rebuilt again in 1639, the 17th year of the reign of King Injo, and in 1700, the 26th year of the reign of King Sukjong. Because it has been rebuilt several times, its original appearance is difficult to determine. The altar consists of a circular lower platform (下壇) built of natural stones and a square upper platform (上壇). The circular lower platform is said to symbolize Heaven, while the square upper platform symbolizes Earth. This form is similar to that of Cheomseongdae Observatory in Gyeongju. The Goryeo and Joseon dynasties occasionally performed Taoist rituals here. During the late Joseon period, growing interest in Dangun led to a tendency to associate Chamseongdan Altar with religious practices dating from the Dangun era. After Daejonggyo (大倧敎), a religion that venerates Dangun, was established during the Japanese colonial period, the site came to be regarded as a sacred place of the Korean nation. A ritual honoring Heaven is still held here every year on National Foundation Day, and the torch for the National Sports Festival is lit here using sunlight. Although it cannot be established with certainty that Chamseongdan Altar was Dangun’s altar for rites to Heaven, ritual land (祭田) was allocated to the site because it served as a venue for state rituals during the Goryeo period. King Wonjong of Goryeo also personally presided over rites at Chamseongdan Altar.