Gyeongju Wolseong (Halfmoon Fortress)

About this place

Built in 101 CE (the 22nd year of King Pasa's reign) as the royal palace fortress of Silla, this site served as the seat of the royal court until Silla's fall in 935 CE. Its crescent-shaped terrain gave rise to its original name 'Sinwolseong' (New Moon Fortress) or simply 'Wolseong' (Moon Fortress), and it was also called 'Jaeseong' (King's Fortress) because the king resided there. From the Joseon period onward it has been known as 'Banwolseong' (Half Moon Fortress). The earthen and stone wall stretches 1,841 m and encloses an area of 193,585 m². It connects to the East Palace and Anapji Pond to the east, with Cheomseongdae Observatory to the north and the Namcheon stream forming a natural defensive line to the south. Historical records mention numerous gates, pavilions, and palace buildings. Even today, beneath the site lie artefacts spanning from Bronze Age plain pottery to Unified Silla earthenware, roof tiles, and building foundations.