Mongchontoseong, Ancient earthen fortress in Olympic Park, Seoul, South Korea
Mongchontoseong is an ancient earthen fortress located within Seoul's Olympic Park that once protected a settlement in the Baekje kingdom. The defensive walls extend for several kilometers and form an irregular shape, with a ditch dug around the perimeter to add an extra layer of protection.
This earthen fortress was built in the 3rd or 4th century during the Baekje period as part of the kingdom's capital region called Wiryeseong. It demonstrates how one of Korea's early kingdoms constructed large-scale defensive structures to protect their population and territory.
The name Mongchontoseong means earthen castle, reflecting how residents of the Baekje kingdom built their settlements with defensive walls made from packed earth. Today, visitors can still see remnants of sunken dwellings that show how people lived and adapted to their surroundings.
The site is easily reached by public transit and can be explored on foot using the walking trail that circles the entire fortress. The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon when crowds are smaller and the light is more pleasant for walking.
The grounds hosted the running competition for modern pentathlon during the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul. This connection between an ancient site and a major moment in modern sports history makes the place feel like a bridge between two different eras.
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