Yeongwol Jeongyangsanseong Fortress (Wanggapseong)

This is a mountain fortress from the Three Kingdoms period located on Jeongyangsan Mountain in Yeongwol-eup. It was built with stones, skillfully utilizing the natural terrain of Jeongyangsan Mountain, which protrudes into the Namhangang River. It is estimated to have been first constructed between the late 5th and early 6th centuries, when the three kingdoms were vying for control of the Han River basin. It continued to be used until the early Joseon period. Along with the Jungwon Goguryeo Stele in Chungju and the Ondalsanseong Fortress in Danyang, it is one of the Goguryeo cultural relics located in the central region. Situated at an altitude of 550m at the end of the Bonghangsan Mountain ridge, on a steep peak, it has very favorable conditions as a mountain fortress. The overall layout of the fortress forms a wide trapezoid facing northwest. This fortress is largely divided into an inner fortress and an outer fortress. The inner fortress has a perimeter of 1,060m, and the outer fortress has a perimeter of 570m, with a total wall length of 1,630m. Among ancient mountain fortresses in Korea, it is comparable to the Samnyeonsanseong Fortress in Boeun, which is considered the largest in terms of wall scale. The outer fortress was built after the Goryeo period to increase the capacity of the inner fortress. It shows medieval characteristics of being built in emergency situations, using natural cliffs as walls in many parts and constructing artificial walls where needed. Jeongyangsanseong Fortress is not only the most important mountain fortress in the upper Han River region, but it is also the only fortress equipped with walls, gate sites, curved walls, and defensive bastions, as well as later outer walls and barrier walls. Its preservation is good, making it historically and academically valuable. From this fortress, one can easily monitor the movements of enemies approaching Yeongwol along the Namhangang River. Moreover, due to its strategic geographical location, it was a battleground for the territorial expansion of the three kingdoms.