dangpojinseong (당포진성)
Site of an important battle during Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s 2nd combat sortie in July of 1592, the naval fortress guarding Dangpo Harbor remains today a gorgeous example of a type of Joseon military facility that once protected the entire southern coast. After unleashing his turtleship for the first time upon Japanese invaders at Sacheon, on 10 July, Admiral Yi received word of an enemy force looting Dangpo just west of Geojedo and set sail. When his fleet arrived, he found the marauders sacking the harbor and attempting to establish a base within the naval fortress—or jinseong—up on the hill. Blocking the entrance to the bay with a line of panokseon, Yi’s turtleship closed with the enemy and destroyed a large atakebune class vessel and numerous other warships. With that stinging defeat, the Japanese never returned to Dangpo.
I have to admit, walking up from the parking lot it didn’t look like much. Standard historical marker and what appeared to be a low-lying stone wall. We drove a long way to get here and I was beginning to wonder if it had been worth it.
Reaching the marker, however, much more of this beauty came into view, including the main entrance, beautifully preserved through nearly five centuries on this remote, island site!
This fortress is perfectly positioned across a high hill overlooking the harbor to the north and littoral approaches to the south. The slope is not so steep as to impede movement, and the walls and turrets—just starting to come into view above—augment the existing terrain.
The landside defensive turret marked the apex of the naval fortress.
It also, unfortunately, was the end of the restored section of walls as the masonry ramparts crumble as they lead back toward the harbor on the north side until being swallowed by overgrowth.
Still, what remains was well worth the trip!
Still, the view of the surrounding sea-way is incredible and one might imagine Dangpojinseong as a desirable assignment for a young Joseon military officer!
The pictures really don’t do the view justice, primarily due to the humidity. It really is a beautiful location!
The harbor is mostly obscured by an orchard planted many years ago in what would have been the fortress interior, but when you clear those trees, this is the view of Dangpo Harbor, once a naval base under Admiral Won Gyun’s command.