Gongnammun, the South Gate of Sangdangsanseong Fortress, Cheongju

淸州上黨山城控南門 / 청주 상당산성 공남문 

Literally meaning the gate for controllig the south, Gongnammun is the main and south gate of Sangdangsanseong Fortress in Cheongju City, Chungcheongbuk-do Province. Originally built during the Three Kingdoms period, the fortress was comprehensively improved in 1596, the 29th year of King Seonjo’s reign during Imjinwaeran, the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, and later remodeled several times.  

Built along the ridges surrounding the area, the 4.2km-long, 3-4m-tall fortress was built with stones of various sizes, earth and sand. The fortress has three main gates, located in the east, west and south respectively. The three gates remain almost intact, and all still have their gate towers. 

The front gate in the south, named ‘Gongnammun Gate,’ has a crescent-shaped entrance while the East and West gates are square.