Usan Mountain Fortress

About this place

Usan Mountain Fortress, designated as a Chungcheongnam-do monument, is a mountain fortress built during the Baekje period. The walls are constructed mostly of horizontally laid natural stones, with the best-preserved sections standing about 7 m high and 6 m wide. The corners where the south and east walls meet, and where the north and east walls meet, are higher than other sections, likely the sites of command platforms used by commanders in battle. Several building foundations and storage pits have been identified inside the fortress. According to the Sejong Sillok Jiriji geographical record, there was a well inside. The relics found at the site are mostly Baekje pottery shards, but Goryeo- and Joseon-period roof tile fragments have also been found, suggesting the fortress was built in the Baekje era and used through the Joseon period. A short hike up along the fortress walls leads to a dramatic rock formation known as the Sword Rock plaza, and from the Cheongryongjeong pavilion at the summit one can enjoy a panoramic view of Cheongyang.