Banwolseong, Royal palace ruins in Gyeongju, South Korea.
Banwolseong is a royal fortress site in the forested region around Gyeongju, where stone walls and foundations create a distinctive crescent shape across the landscape. The archaeological site displays the bases of structures and defensive works scattered across the grounds, outlining the former extent of the complex.
The fortress was founded in the early years of the Silla Dynasty to protect the royal residence at that time. A later ice storage facility was added to the site, showing how the complex continued to be used and expanded over centuries.
The name Banwolseong means 'half-moon fortress' and describes the distinctive crescent shape of the ruins still visible in the forested landscape today. Visitors can observe how the site was integrated into its surroundings and the central role it held as a royal residence.
The site is best reached by bus from Seoul, with the journey taking around four hours. The pathways on the grounds are well marked, and the forested surroundings provide natural shade while exploring the ruins.
An ice storage facility was discovered near the northern bastion, once used to preserve frozen treats for the royal family. This structure reveals that craftsmen of that era already mastered advanced food cooling methods.
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