Hwaseong Fortress

Brief Description

Justification for Inscription

The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iii), considering that the Hwaseong Fortress is an outstanding example of early modern military architecture, incorporating the most highly developed features of that science from both east and west.

Long Description

Hwaseong Fortress had a great influence on the development of Korean architecture, urban planning, and landscaping and related arts for many centuries. It is the epitome of this type of structure in the Far East and is a landmark in the history of military architecture. It differs from fortresses in China and Japan in that it combines military, political and commercial functions.

Crown Prince Sado, son of the Joseon ruler Yeongjo, was unjustly condemned and executed by his father. When Sado's son Jeongjo succeeded Yeongjo in 1776, he had his father's remains exhumed and buried in a tomb on Mount Hwasan, the most auspicious geomantic site. He built Yongjusa Temple nearby for the repose of his soul, and moved the seat of government to the foot of Mount Paldalsan in Suwon. By moving his seat of government Jeongjo was able to end factional strife, enhance the authority of the throne, and provide greater security for the court within the walls of the new fortress. This was laid out in accordance with the work by Jeong Yakyong, a leading scholar of the School of Practical Learning. Building was completed between 1794 and 1796, under the supervision of Chae Jegong, a former minister and magistrate. Cranes, pulleys, and other special pieces of equipment were designed and built specially for the project, which is described in detail in Archives on the Construction of Hwaseong Fortress.

Various other structures were built around the Fortress, including the Hwaseong Temporary Palace and Sajikdan, the altar for sacrifices to the guardian deities of the state. These were burned down during the course of later wars and rebellions, and only Nangnamheon Hall, an annex of the Temporary Palace, has survived to the present day. Parts of the Fortress were destroyed or damaged during the Japanese occupation and the Korean War, but the availability of the archives has made it possible for the fortress to be restored to its authentic original form.

The massive walls of the fortress enclose an area that includes the foot of Mount Paldalsan. They follow the topography of the land, rather than taking up a regular or symmetrical form. The walls were originally 48 defensive features along the length of the walls - four gates, floodgates, observation towers, command posts, multiple-arrow launcher towers, firearms bastions, angle towers, secret gates, beacon towers, bastions and bunkers - and most of these survive intact. Each merlon has three gun embrasures.
There are four main gates, on the cardinal points. The Paldalmun Gate in the south and the Janganmun Gate in the north are impressive two-storey wooden structures on stone bases, flanked by guard platforms and shielded by half-moon ravelins built from fired brick. They are linked by the main road running through the complex. The west and east gates are single-storey structures, during the Korean War, also protected by ravelins.

Work on the restoration and reconstruction of the Fortress began in 1964, and has continued since that time. The angle towers, command posts, observation towers, bastions, and other defensive features are all solidly constructed and strategically sited for maximum utility and minimum visibility.

The circuit of walls and most of its elements (gates, towers, bastions, etc.) preserve the authenticity of their origin in terms of site, materials and techniques.

Historical Description

Victime d'une conspiration de la cour, le prince royal Sado Seja, fils de Yongjo, 2lème souverain Choson, est injustement condamné par son père et exécuté. Lorsque son fils Chongjo succède à Yongjo en 1776, il fait exhumer la dépouille de son père pour l'inhumer dans une tombe du Mont Hwasan, considéré comme le site tutélaire le plus favorable. Pour le repos de l'âme de son père, il fait construire le temple de Yongjusa à proximité et déplace le siège du gouvernement au pied du Mont P'altalsan, à Suwon.

Une autre raison pousse Chongjo à déplacer le siège du gouvernement : ce faisant, il peut mettre fin aux luttes de factions, affermir l'autorité du trône et offrir une plus grande sécurité à la cour abritée par les murs de la forteresse dont il a ordonné la construction. L'agencement de cet édifice repose sur les travaux de Chong Y ag-Yong, universitaire renommé de l'Ecole de l'Etude Pratique (Shirhak). Publiée en 1793 sous le titre « La stratégie des fortifications » (Songhwa Churyak), cette œuvre marquante couvre les développements orientaux et occidentaux de l'architecture militaire.

La construction est réalisée entre janvier 1794 et septembre 1796 sous la surveillance de Ch'ae ChaeGong, ex-ministre et magistrat de la préfecture de Yongjungch'u. Grues, poulies et autres éléments d'équipement spéciaux sont conçus et produits spécialement pour ce projet, ce dont il est fait état dans les Archives de la construction de la forteresse Hwasong (Hwasong Songyok Uigwe).

D'autres édifices sont érigés autour de la forteresse, notamment le palais provincial de Hwasong et Sajiktan, l'autel des sacrifices offerts aux divinités tutélaires de l'état. Ces structures ayant brûlé lors de guerres et rébellions ultérieures, seul le Hall Nangnamhon, annexe du palais provincial, subsiste encore à l'heure actuelle. Malgré la destruction ou l'endommagement de certaines parties de la forteresse pendant l'occupation japonaise et la Guerre de Corée, l'existence des Archives a permis de la restaurer sous sa forme initiale authentique