Baekje Stories at the Bear Shrine | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Gongsanseong Fortress is a representative fortress of the Baekje period and was the mountain fortress protecting Gongju when it was the capital of Baekje. It served as the Baekje capital until the 16th year of King Seong of Baekje (538) when the capital was moved to Buyeo, and afterward was a regional administrative center until the Joseon Dynasty, making it a historically significant site. It is a valley-enclosed fortification (pogokhyeong 산성) located on a hill by the Geumgang River, originally built as an earthen fortress, later reconstructed as a stone fortress in the Joseon period. The exact construction date is unknown. In Baekje, it was called Ungjinseong, during Goryeo Gongjusanseong or Gongsanseong, and after King Injo fled there during Yi Gwal's Rebellion (1623) in Joseon, it was called Ssangsusanseong. After Baekje's fall, King Uija stayed briefly, and it was a base for Baekje restoration movements. During Unified Silla, Kim Heon-chang's Rebellion (822) took place here. The fortress is roughly rectangular, about 800m east-west and 400m north-south. Gate sites are confirmed on all sides; the south gate Jinnamru and north gate Gongbukru remain. The east and west gates only had sites remaining; in 993, Yeongdongru was restored at the east gate site and Geumseoru at the west gate site. Defensive facilities such as secret gates, citadels, ancient towers, watchtowers, and water gates remain. Inside are Ssangsujeong Pavilion, Yeongeunsa Temple, Yeonji Pond, Imryugak Site, and Manharu Site. Numerous relics including lotus-patterned roof tiles, Baekje roof tiles, pottery, and artifacts from Goryeo and Joseon periods have been excavated. Walking along the fortress wall offers panoramic views of Gongju city. During the Baekje Cultural Festival, a floating bridge connects from Gongsanseong to Geumgang Shingwan Park. At Geumseoru, one can witness the dignity of the Baekje Kingdom in the ‘Ungjin Fortress Water Gate Guard Duty Change Ceremony,’ and the night view at Geumgang Shingwan Park allows beautiful appreciation of Gongsanseong Fortress.

Gomanaru 1999 is a ssambap specialty restaurant located near Gongju Gongsanseong. The signature menu is the Gomanaru set meal, which offers a generous spread of sotbap (cooked rice in a pot), boiled pork slices, charcoal-grilled marinated pork neck, and grilled dried pollack. The rice is made from grains grown in Sangsinn Village, Gongju, a floodplain formed by the Geum River, resulting in rich and tasty rice. The ssam vegetables are sourced from an organic farming cooperative and the Jirisan Agricultural Cooperative, creating a healthy meal. The restaurant is suitable for family dining, housed in a neat standalone building with parking space and can accommodate group meals.

대표적인 백제유적인 충남 공주시 송산리 고분(사적 제 13호) 가운데 1,400여년이나 된 무령왕릉이 발굴 후 25년간의 공개에도 남조류 등 미생물이 서식하고 빗물이 스며드는 등 원형 보존을 위협함에 따라 1997년 11월 무령왕릉 등 송산리 고분군의 원형을 후손들에게 길이 물려주기 위해 보수공사 후 이 능을 포함, 인근 5·6호분이 영구히 폐쇄되었다.

Gomanaru is a historic scenic site spread over the low hills west of the Tomb of King Muryeong, including the Geumgang River and Yeonmisan Mountain, and the riverside ferry area. It is the birthplace of the Gongju region and is associated with a legend involving a bear and humans. Gomanaru was the old name of Gongju; 'Goma (固麻)' is the old word for bear, written in hanja as 'Ungjin (熊津)'. During the reign of Silla's King Sinmun, it was called Ungcheonju (熊川州), and during King Gyeongdeok's reign, Ungju (熊州), changing to Gongju (公州) during the reign of Goryeo's Taejo in 940, which remains today. It was a transportation route when King Munju of Baekje moved the capital to Ungjin, a station for General So Jeongbang of the Silla-Tang allied forces to attack Baekje by ascending the Geumgang, and after Baekje's fall, the site of the Ungjin Governor's Office, making it the center of Baekje history and an international transportation hub. It was also a state sacrificial site from Baekje to the Joseon period, with remains of the Ungjindan (熊津壇) where sacrifices were offered to the water god of the Geumgang River, was a place of living for common people, and served as a water route, rich with the sorrows of the people, giving it great historical value. A beautiful and sad legend about a maiden bear and a woodcutter is told here; on the northern slope of Yeonmisan behind Gomanaru stands the Bear Cave overlooking Gomanaru, said to be where the legendary bear lived. The village built a bear shrine near the ferry to appease the bear's grudge and pray for village safety. Gomanaru not only holds great historical value as the center of Baekje history but also features a broad sandy beach along the Geumgang River and a pine forest of over 450 trees harmonizing with the river and Yeonmisan Mountain, creating a beautiful landscape of outstanding historical, cultural, and scenic value. (Source: National Heritage Administration)