Was There a Fortress Protecting Horses? Photo Exhibition Showcasing 30 Busan Fortress Sites Opens

Bokcheon Museum Photo Exhibition 'Busan's Fortress Walls' Held from May 4 to July 25

Baesanseong of the Three Kingdoms Period, Geumjeongsanseong, Ohaeyaehang Mokjangseong, Gijangsanseong, Dongnae Eupseong

Highlighting Busan's Historical Sign

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Did you know that there was a fortress in Busan where horses were bred?

The ‘Ohaeyahang’ ranch fortress was built in the early Joseon Dynasty to protect horses.

Ohaeyahang, now located in Saha-gu, Busan, was the old name of Dongnae-hyeon at the time, and it is an Idu-style notation meaning ‘the path to the stable.’

Geumjeongsanseong, completed in the late Joseon period, boasts the longest length in Korea and still retains its original appearance.

A photo exhibition covering these fortresses in Busan will be held.

The Busan City (Mayor Park Hyung-jun) Bokcheon Museum will hold the photo exhibition ‘Fortresses of Busan’ from May 4 to July 25 for 83 days in the planned exhibition hall.

This photo exhibition is based on the academic research series ‘Busan Fortresses’ published by the Busan Museum and introduces photos of more than 30 fortress sites confirmed in the Busan area and related investigation results.

Busan was the frontline of national defense until the Joseon Dynasty, and numerous fortresses were built. Of course, there are also Japanese-style fortresses built by the Japanese army during the seven-year war period from the Imjin War to the Jeongyu War.

It is known that the names of 38 fortresses have been confirmed through literature and surface surveys.

There are 31 fortresses and traces throughout Busan, including Baesanseong from the Three Kingdoms period, Dongnae Old Town Fortress from the Goryeo period, Dongnae Eupseong, and Gyeongsang Left Naval Command Fortress from the Joseon period.

Ohaeyahang ranch fortress, built in the early Joseon period to breed horses, and Geumjeongsanseong, boasting the longest length nationwide from the late Joseon period, still retain their old appearances well.

The exhibition first provides panel explanations to help understand the concept, structure, and characteristics of Korean fortresses.

Next, the fortresses in the Busan area are categorized by their construction purposes into mountain fortresses, town fortresses, naval command fortresses, and garrisons, allowing visitors to comprehensively examine the features of each fortress.

Visitors can view the exhibition every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on Mondays when it is closed. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure smooth viewing, it is convenient to use the advance reservation system. Advance reservations can be made on the Bokcheon Museum website.

Na Dong-wook, director of Bokcheon Museum, said, “This is a great opportunity to see many fortress sites scattered throughout Busan in one place,” and added, “By looking at the photographic materials, visitors will be able to understand well the historical significance of Busan as the gateway to the Korean Peninsula and a key coastal defense point.”

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