Gyeongju-eupseong Fortress

About this place

In the heart of the city of Gyeongju stands Gyeongju-eupseong, a major historic site that symbolizes the millennium of Gyeongju since the era of Silla. If Wolseong was the center during the Silla period, from the Goryeo period onward the center shifted to Gyeongju-eupseong. It was the heart of Gyeongju, where administrative, everyday, and military functions were gathered, continuing from Goryeo into Joseon. There are records that, after it was first built in the Goryeo period, it was repaired several times during the Joseon period, and its present restored form reflects the reconstruction carried out in the 21st year of King Yeongjo (1745). The Gyeongju-eupseong rebuilt under King Yeongjo is said to have had a wall perimeter reaching 2.3 km, with four main gates in the east, west, south, and north leading into the fortress. All four gates were destroyed, but the east gate, Hyangilmun, has recently been restored. A stretch of wall of about 100-odd meters that remained on the eastern side was re-joined and rebuilt, and the flanking tower (chiseong), the crescent-shaped gate wall (ongseong), and the east gate were restored and opened to the public in November 2018.