Cultural heritage in Goyang
five-thousand years history
Current story of Goyang
- Cultural heritage in Goyang
- five-thousand years history
- Current story of Goyang
- Let’s try to go
Story of Goyang history
2017-06-21
Daeseomun of Bukhan Mountain Fortress, the biggest gate in Goyang
Where is the biggest gate in Goyang located?
A gate of10m height that allows people and cars to pass by freely was built in Goyang during the time of King Sukjong in the early Joseon period. The roof and the outlines have been well-preserved.
Castle gates are large in size, from gate tower, tile roof, to the ridge of the roof.
This gate is the gain gate of Bukhan Mountain Fortress, Daeseomun, that was built at the time of King Sukjong.
It is the oldest and the most extravagant gate of all gates in Bukhan Mountain Fortress, so many people walk through it.
Designated as a historical site, it is managed by the Cultural Asset Association and the city of Goyang. This Daeseomun is the gate that represents Bukhan Mountain Fortress.
It is the only gate that has devout prayers, among the 4 gates of Bukhan Mountain Fortress and 16 gates of castle gates.
Between the castle gate and gate tower, there is a female general on the square stone.
There are two heads of dragon with opened mouth below the female general.
These dragon heads are special statues only seen at Daeseomun.
In front, the dragons open their mouths to protect the castle and block evil spirits.
In contrast, there are 2 cute dragon heads at the center of the castle inside.
There are traces of the Korean War in various spots of the Daeseomun.
The wall that have cracked under bullets and bombardment show the old history of the castle gate.
The signboard of Daeseomun is the writing of the first president of Korean, President Rhee Syngman.
The name Daeseomun is remains clear but the seal and the name of the writer is erased in white.
This is because some tried to erase the traces of Presisdent Rhee when he resigned after 4.19 Incident.
Sitting on the gate tower of Daeseomun and feeling the wind that blows in the stream between UIsangbong Peak and Wonhyobong Peak is very cool and refreshing.
Under the fortress is the urbanized city of Goyang and parts of Seoul can be seen. Behind the fortress, main peaks of the Bukhan Mountain such as Wonhyobong Peak and Baegundae Peak rise up high.
There are no peaks between Daeseomun and Baegundae Peak. So when the day is clear, the Taegeuk flags and hikers on the peak can be seen.
Bukhan Mountain Fortress’ Daeseomun is most beautiful in spring when flowers are bloom and the sun is setting.
King Sukjong of Joseon Dynasty also visited the Bukhan Mountain Fortress through this gate. Now it is used as the main gate for the hikers, ordinary people who are tired from life.
Paris has the Arc of Triomphe, Seoul has Gwanghwamun, and Gowang has Bukhan Mountain Fortress as the gates that represent the city.
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