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[way to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress for walking]

About the history of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, it was constructed by king Jeongjo (reigning 1777~1800), the 22nd king of Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) after moving the tomb of his father Sadoseja, Crown Prince, who had been victimized in faction struggles in the court, and put inside a rice chest and had died in it, from Mt. Baebong, Yangju, to Mt. Hwa, Suwon. and the moving of the local government headquarters from near Mt. hwa to the current location under Mt. Paldal, Suwon. The mountain was considered as the best place to build tombs according to the theory of geomancy in those days.

There were multiple reasons for constructing the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress. The most important reason was King Jeongjo’s filial piety to his father. But, there were other reasons: his political strategy to eradicate faction struggles and establish the king-led politics; use of it as a fortress of national defense to the south.

The Suwon Hwaseong Fortress was born at the peak time of the Joseon dynasty. It started from the decision of King Jeongjo to move the tomb of his father, Sadoseja who had died a miserable death. But, now, it has become a cultural heritage the peoples of the world like to visit. In the world history, we can identify the cycle of rise, deepening, prime time, and decline of countries and civilizations. The fact that Joseon declined politically and culturally after the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress had been constructed ironically put the fortress on the top among all the achievements in the Joseon era. Thus, the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is the flower of the Joseon dynasty and the flower among Korean fortresses.

The Suwon Hwaseong Fortress was designated as the Historical Remains No. 3, and has been managed as such. As subsidiary cultural assets, it has Paldalmon gate (Treasure No. 402), Hwaseomun gate (Treasure No. 403), Janganmun gate, and Gongsimdon, etc. The Suwon Hwaseong Fortress was chosen to be registered as an UNESCO World Heritage in December 1997.

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