Trip to Gangjin Byeongyeong fortress and sea fishing from Hamels journal | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Gangjin Byeongyeong Village is a village that originated from the designation of an old army command post (Yeong, 營) and has continued its legacy through a long history. It is a natural fortress in a basin shape surrounded by large and small mountains such as Suinsan, Seongjasan, Oknyobong, Byeollaksan, and Hwabangsan. Early on, Byeongyeong Fortress, which oversaw the military authority of Jeollado, was located here, and the village achieved rapid commercial development. A historical site designated as ‘Byeongyeong Fortress Site’ remains here, bearing witness to that history. The village’s wall is generally a stone-and-earth wall with alternating layers; the lower part is built with relatively large granite stones, and from the middle upwards, relatively small stones about the size of an adult fist are used. The top of the wall is roofed with tiles. Additionally, auxiliary buildings that function as part of the wall are constructed to the same height and in the same style as the wall, harmonizing well with it. The wall height is about 2 meters, relatively high, which seems related to the nature of the Byeongyeong Village. The village pathways are straight, making the wall appear more orderly. In particular, the construction method called the ‘Hamel-style wall building,’ learned from Hamel and his group during their seven-year stay from 1656 to 1663, shows a unique style different from other regions: thin stones are laid at about a 15° angle packed densely above the middle section, and the next layer is built in a staggered pattern, a kind of herringbone pattern.

Jeonla Byeongyeongseong [全羅兵營城] was established in the 17th year of King Taejong of Joseon (1417) and served as the army's general command overseeing 53 provinces and 6 garrisons including Jeollanam-do and Jeju-do for over 500 years until the Gabo Reform in the 32nd year of King Gojong (1895). However, it was destroyed by fire during the Gabo Peasant War (Donghak) in 1894 and was subsequently abolished by the new system of the 1895 Gabo Reform. The fortress walls of Byeongyeongseong are 1,060m in total length, 3.5m in height, and the area is 93,139㎡ (28,175 pyeong). It is currently designated as Historic Site No. 397. (Source: Gangjin-gun Cultural Tourism Homepage)

이 박물관은 국내 유일의 청자박물관으로 고려청자의 수집, 전시, 연구, 교육 등을 통하여 청자문화의 계승발전을 추진하고 있다. 특히 기존 박물관과 다른 전시 방법과 유적지 주변에 세워진 역사성으로 현재 추진 중인 공립박물관의 모범이 되고 있다. 또한 박물관 주변에 고려청자를 재현하는 작업장이 세워져 우리나라 청자의 과거 및 현재를 볼 수 있는 장점을 지니고 있다.

Maryang Port is located at the southernmost tip of southwestern Korea, passing through Gangjin from Gwangju, and has recently emerged as a beautiful harbor. Maryang (馬良) means 'bridge for crossing horses.' The first thing that stands out at Maryang Port is the promenade along the breakwater. The sea here is a clean area connecting Wando Archipelago and Jeju Island, and is also known as a great spot for sea fishing including sea bream, sea bass, and rockfish. In autumn, the Jeoneo Festival attracts many tourists, and Maryang Port is also used to reach islands famous for excellent sea fishing. Historically, a Madujin fort was established in 1417 during King Taejong’s reign in early Joseon, overseen by the Manho Jeoljedowi, and during the Japanese invasions of 1592 and 1598, a turtle ship was stationed here as a strategic key point. At the entrance of Maryang Port, you can see a black island on the sea, called Gamak Island or Kkamak Island because its forest looks so dark green that it appears black. Maryangmi Port is full of abundant food, diverse sights, and entertainment, and from April to October, a Saturday music concert is held every Saturday at the central breakwater area of Maryang Port. Maryangmi Port is 14 minutes by car, 11 km away from the nearby tourist attraction Gaudo Island, where you can experience a monorail and zipline.