GANGHWA COUNTY

Samnagseong Fortress

In the legendary tale, three sons of Dangun built this mountain fortress and it was called Samnangseong castle or Jeongjoksan mountain fortress.

The castle extended 2300 meters in length made of natural stone. Inside the castle, there was the former Jeondeungsa temple of historical subject built in the 11th year of King Sosurim in Goguryeo dynasty (382). The royal palace Goryeo dynasty was built in the 46th year of king Gojong (1259) and again collapsed during the unknown time. Now ruins remains there only Thereafter, the archives of authentic records for the whole adminstration of the Joseon royal regime was built in the 1st year of King Hyojong (1660).

Ganghwa county had restored these collapsed archives in 1998. This Samnangseong castle is also well known for celebration of the victory of General Yangheonsu defeating over French forces. This castle had four big gates, east, west, south and north without any towers installed to them. The tower of the south gate was built in the 15th year of king Yeongjo of Joseon dynasty in 1739 and consequently the tower collapsed. Recent Korean government has restored the towers of south gate to the currently existing one in 1976.