Samnangseong

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Samnangseong, or Samnang Fortress, is the fortress that surrounds Jeondeungsa, the oldest Buddhist temple in Korea on Jeonjok Mountain.

Legend says the three sons of Dangun, the mythical founder of Korea, built this mountain fortress calling it Samnangseong or Jeongjoksan Fortress.

The fortress extended 2,300 meters in length made of natural stone. Inside is Jeondeungsa built in 382. The Royal Palace of the Goryeo Dynasty was built in 1259, collapsing at some unknown time, so now only ruins remain.

Ganghwa county restored Samnangseong in 1998. The fortress had four big gates, east, west, south and north. The tower of the south gate was built in 1739 and consequently collapsed. The Korean government restored the towers of south gate in 1976 to the current configuration.