Hwasung Fortress | Suwon, Korea

[Ellatur]

(i believe ^ is the biggest 'old' gate in korea)


(i wonder what this is for)



The Hwasung Fortress in Suwon was ordered to be constructed in 1794 and completed in 1796 by King Jeongjo (reign 1776~1800) in the Chosun Dynasty. The Hwasung is a 3.2 miles (5.4km) fortress made of stone reaching from Mt. Paldalsan to the west. There is a small mountain in the east and a stream flows from north to south in between the eastern and western hillside.

And also there are 4 gates in the fortress, on the east, west, south and north sides. Chananmun gate is located to the north toward Seoul. Paldalmun gate toward the south and Changnyongmun and Hwasomun gate to the east and west respectively. In the Changanmun gate, there are arched Hongyemun gate is the center of a stepped stone wall and a two-story gorgeous pavilion on top of it, with a semicircular wall in front of the gate. There is also a sluice gate in the south and north which allows the stream to flow beneath the walls and through the fortress.

The floodgate in the north was built on the beautiful pond called Yongyon, and has a Hwahongmun pavilion on the tip of seven arched gates. The Panghwasuryujong Pavilion, located east of the Hwa hongmun, exemplifies the sophisticated and exquisite architecture used in constructing the pavilion to harmonize with neghboring scenery on the Chosun Dynasty.

There are also other points of interest, such as Sujangdae, the west command post for soldiers overlooking the city on the top of Mt. Paldalsan; Kongshimdon, a large circular observation tower; Pongdon, a beacon mound where soldiers sent smoke signals to the central office of the fortress to indicate movements outside the castle; and Ammun, a secret gate in a secluded spot hidden from enemies, allowing people and livestock to pass.

* UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE, 1997



suwon-hwasung
eastern fortresses are not half bad right?

[Fly Pan Am]

9/10

[Matthieu]

Dam, no picture can pass the proxy here. I'll check the fortress later then.

[Matthieu]

8,5

I don't know what this



is for. But I think it's for collecting rain and use it as water.

[Ellatur]

i was thinking some astrological device to gaze up at starts and stuff. maybe a beacon?

[Matthieu]

Originally Posted by Ellatur

i was thinking some astrological device to gaze up at starts and stuff. maybe a beacon?

For aliens?

[Ellatur]

lol nay. signaling beacons eg beacons of gondor

[Sen]

off-topic...isn't suwon the headquarter of Samsung Electronics?

[waterloo]

Damn it! Whats with the modern buildings around it? So sad...7/10.

[Ellatur]

Originally Posted by Sen

off-topic...isn't suwon the headquarter of Samsung Electronics?

yes

[DamienK]

7/10

[SkylineTurbo]

10, very nice. Isn't Suwon like a sattelite city for Seoul (as is Incheon).

[Ellatur]

^ yes

[Matthieu]

Originally Posted by waterloo

Damn it! Whats with the modern buildings around it? So sad...7/10.

Yup, the surrounding buildings are killing the landscape. Too bad.

[Impf]

Wow! Just incredible. 10

[Fabio]

8.5/10


really nice

[mumbojumbo]

Originally Posted by Exarchus

8,5

I don't know what this



is for. But I think it's for collecting rain and use it as water.

Its a beacon as ellatur said. Beacons were used to carry messages to Seoul when theres an attack or emmergency.

[DRAKKO]

7/10

[forvine]

7.5/10

[Sinjin P.]

8/10