The Dream of Baekje Revival Flies Away: 'Geochang Geoyeolsanseong' Designated as Historic Site

Territorial Expansion Contest Between Silla and Baekje... Presumed to Be Geoyeolseong in 'Samguk Sagi'
Second Fortress Expansion in Unified Silla Era "Can Illuminate the Process of Silla Mountain Fortress Changes"

Geoyeolsanseong Secondary Fortress Wall Overview

The ‘Geochang Geoyeolsanseong (居昌 居列山城)’ located in Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam, is designated as a historic site.

On the 20th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced the advance notice of designation of this cultural property as a nationally designated historic site. Opinions from various sectors will be collected for one month, and the designation will be finalized after review by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee.

‘Geochang Geoyeolsanseong’ is known as a battleground for territorial expansion between Silla and Baekje. Among the mountain fortresses in the Geochang area from the Three Kingdoms period confirmed in historical records, it is the largest in scale. Five academic surveys and two academic conferences have confirmed its unique form consisting of the first fortress built during the Silla period and the second fortress expanded during the Unified Silla period. A Cultural Heritage Administration official stated, “It is a key site that can reveal the process of change in Silla fortresses.”

Overview of the 1st Stage Water Collection Facility at Geoyeol Mountain Fortress

The circumference of the first and second fortresses is approximately 418m and 897m, respectively. Excluding the section inside the first fortress that is not connected to the second fortress and overlapping sections of the first and second fortresses, the total length is about 1,115m.

The first fortress was constructed in the mid-6th century by Silla as it advanced toward Baekje territory. It is presumed to be the ‘Geoyeol Fortress’ where 700 soldiers of the Baekje restoration army died, as recorded in the Samguk Sagi (三國史記). They attempted to restore Baekje for three years after its fall but were decisively defeated in the 3rd year of King Munmu’s reign (663) by Silla generals Heumsun (欽純) and Cheonjon (天存).

Geoyeol Mountain Fortress Panorama

The expanded second fortress is identified as Manheungsasanseong (萬興寺山城), built in Geoyeolju, a strategic base, in the 13th year of King Munmu’s reign (673) to prepare for the Silla-Tang War. This is also confirmed in records such as the Daedongjiji (大東地志).

A Cultural Heritage Administration official explained, “The water collection facilities (集水施設) in the western valley of the first fortress and the eastern valley of the second fortress show differences in construction methods and structure,” adding, “These changes in fortress construction techniques provide important data for research on ancient civil engineering restoration and water management history.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.