Muju Jeoksang Mountain Fortress

About this place

Muju Jeoksangsan Fortress is a defensive rampart built in the late Goryeo period, located in Bukchang-ri, Jeoksang-myeon, Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do. Originally constructed on the border between Baekje and Silla during the Three Kingdoms period, it was at times left unattended, but during the Goryeo period it repeatedly served as a refuge for local people whenever the kingdom faced upheaval. In the 2nd year of King Gwanghae's reign (1610), the Jeoksangsan Archives — one of five royal archives of the Joseon dynasty — were established here to store the Joseon Wangjo Sillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty) and the royal genealogical records. Accordingly, a Records Hall, Archive Building, Portrait Hall, Armory, Main Guesthouse, and Hoguksa Temple were built, and after the Imjin War a garrison was stationed to maintain and operate the fortress. After Korea's national sovereignty was seized in the 3rd year of Emperor Sunjong's reign (1910), the archive was abolished and the site fell into neglect. Today, almost all of the fortress walls have collapsed, and only traces remain in the forest below Anguksa Temple.