Myeonghwalseong

Myeonghwalseong (Korean: 명활성; Hanja: 明活城) or Myeonghwalsanseong (명활산성; 明活山城) was a Silla-era Korean fortress on the mountain Myeonghwalsan in what is now Gyeongju, South Korea. On January 21, 1963, it was made Historic Site of South Korea No. 47.^[1][2] It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site entitled Gyeongju Historic Areas, as part of the Sanseong Fortress Belt.^[3]

Myeonghwalseong
Part of the ruins (2003)
Alternative names	Myeonghwalsanseong, Myeonghwal Mountain Fortress
General information
Location	Gyeongju, South Korea
Coordinates	35°50′8″N 129°15′19″E
Completed	Before 405 (Korean calendar)
Closed	7th century
Designations
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Myeonghwal Mountain Fortress
Criteria	Cultural: (ii), (iii)
Part of	Gyeongju Historic Areas
Reference no.	976
Historic Sites of South Korea
Designated	1963-01-21
Reference no.	47

It is not known with certainty when the fortress was first constructed. There is a record in the Samguk sagi of the fortress being attacked in 405 AD (Korean calendar).^[1] It was attacked by Japanese invaders in 431.^[1][2] It was repaired in 473, and King Jabi moved into it in 475. There are records of it being rebuilt in 551, 554, and 593. It was likely abandoned after 647, after it was captured by Bidam's rebels. There are no known signs of activity at this site that date to after the 7th century.^[1]

Currently, the fortress is mostly in ruins. Archaeological digs have identified six sites where buildings likely once stood. A survey on the site was performed in 1998. From 2012 to 2014, another survey was conducted, which found further evidence that the fortress was reconstructed a number of times.^[1]