Byeolmangseong Fortress

Byeolmangseong Fortress (別望城址) is a coastal mountain fortress built in the early Joseon Dynasty by connecting two shallow mountain peaks along the coast with stone walls to block Japanese pirates invading through Namyang Bay. This fortress connects the ridges of low hills and adjoins the coast to the south, enclosing flat land and allowing ships to enter and exit, making it a coastal flat mountain fortress (a fortress built by connecting flat land and mountains). According to records from the reign of King Sejong, a Naval Garrison Command (a garrison commanded by naval officers of rank 3 or 4) was established here, suggesting that the fortress was built before the 15th century. The Chojiryang Garrison (a naval garrison in the Chojiryang area) located here was abolished when it was moved to Ganghwa Island in the 7th year of King Hyojong of Joseon (1656). Old records indicate that the fortress had a circumference of 1,040m and a height of 1.2 to 2.1m, but most of it was destroyed during the Korean War and restored in 1988. The current walls are restored, measuring 225m in length and 1.45m in height. The outer side of the wall is built with stones nearly vertically, while the inner side is gently packed with earth. Throughout the fortress, there are flat sites of about 60㎡ where troops once stayed, with many pieces of ceramics and roof tiles scattered around. It was an important fortress used for the defense of the west coast for about 250 years until its abandonment in the mid-17th century. The name Byeolmangseong originates from the watchtowers where the Byeolmang troops of the Chojiryang Garrison were stationed.