Gapgot Dondae

A dondae is a small observation and defense facility built with stone or earth along the coast or border areas. During the Joseon Dynasty, 53 stone dondae were installed on the coast of Ganghwa Island. Gapgot Dondae is one of the 48 dondae completed in May 1679. The Ganghwa dondae were built by 8,900 monk soldiers from Hwanghae, Gangwon, and Hamgyeong provinces and 4,262 Eoyeong troops under the Eoyeongcheong over about 80 days. Gapgot Dondae, along with Manghae Dondae, Jeseung Dondae, and Yeomju Dondae, was under the jurisdiction of Jemuljin. The original Gapgot Dondae with gun emplacements was located on the hill north of the entrance to the old Ganghwa Bridge. The currently designated Historic Site Gapgot Dondae is part of Jemuljin and Ganghwa Oeseong (outer fortress). From Gapgot Dondae, visitors can see the Ganghwa War Museum, Ganghwa Gapgot-ri Trifoliate Orange Tree, Hongi Cannon, Iseopjeong Pavilion, and a group of stone monuments.

(Source: Ganghwa County Facility Management Corporation website)