Hwaseong Fortress

This weekend we finally made it out to the site which Suwon is known for. We were lame and didn't walk all the way up the mountain (which is really the best, and most important part of the Fortress, but ah well. I'm sure I'll go back when it's a little warmer)

Hwaseong Fortress was built by King Jeongjo (r. 1776-1800) as an act of loyalty towards his father and to restore the honor of his father who had been murdered. He also wanted to strengthen the authority of his monarchy which had been weakened by the same factional hostility. Jeongjo moved his father's tomb to Mt. Hwasan in the small town of Suwon in 1789. He then moved Suwon to nearby Mt. Paldalsan and creating a new well-planned town. To protect its inhabitants, construction was started in 1794 on a massive fortress.The wall of Hwaseong Fortress follows the topography as it winds its way to the top of Mt. Paldalsan.