World Heritage Identification Number: 817
World Heritage since: 1997
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇰🇷 Republic of Korea
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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A Comprehensive Examination of Hwaseong Fortress: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Korea
The Hwaseong Fortress, located in Suwon, the capital city of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, stands as a testament to the architectural prowess and cultural heritage of the Joseon Dynasty. This magnificent fortress, constructed between 1794 and 1796, serves as a tribute to Prince Sado, the father of King Jeongjo, who was buried within its protective walls.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
When the Joseon King Jeongjo moved his father's tomb to Suwon at the end of the 18th century, he surrounded it with strong defensive works, laid out according to the precepts of an influential military architect of the period, who brought together the latest developments in the field from both East and West. The massive walls, extending for nearly 6 km, still survive; they are pierced by four gates and equipped with bastions, artillery towers and other features.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iii), considering that the Hwaseong Fortress is an outstanding example of early modern military architecture, incorporating the most highly developed features of that science from both east and west.
Encyclopedia Record: Hwaseong Fortress
Hwaseong Fortress or Suwon Hwaseong is a Korean fortress surrounding the centre of Suwon, the provincial capital of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It was built from 1794 to 1796 by King Jeongjo of the Joseon dynasty to house and honour the remains of his father, Prince Sado. Sado had been executed by being locked alive inside a rice chest by his own father King Yeongjo after failing to obey a command to commit suicide. Located 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Seoul and enclosing much of central Suwon, the fortress includes King Jeongjo's palace Haenggung. The fortress and enclosed palace were designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1997. It comprises among many other features the palace, a perimeter wall, four main gates, and two sluicegates over the Suwoncheon, Suwon's main stream, which flows through the centre of the fortress.Additional Site Details
Area: Not available
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
Coordinates: 37.27222 , 127.00833
Image
© Lance Vanlewen, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
