Wibong Mountain Fortress

About this place

Wibong Mountain Fortress was built in the 1st year of King Sukjong of Joseon (1675), and extends to a remarkable circumference of approximately 16 km. It was constructed to provide a place of refuge in times of emergency for the royal portrait of King Taejo and the wooden ancestor tablet housed in Gyeonggijeon and Jogyeongmyo in Jeonju. Indeed, when Jeonju fell during the Donghak Peasant Movement, the portrait and tablet were brought here for safekeeping. Inside the fortress, a small palace was built to house the portrait and tablet, but it was demolished long ago. Gates were built on the east, west, and north sides of the fortress, but today only the crescent-shaped western gate leading toward Jeonju remains. Inside the fortress stands Wibongsa Temple and Wibong Waterfall — one of the Eight Scenic Views of Jeonju.