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Gongbungmun Gate
Gongbungmun (拱北門), the Northern Gate of Gwangju's citadel, once stood roughly where the Chungjangno police station now sits. It was the most significant of the four fortress gates, owing to its direct connection to Hanyang, the capital. The name means "render homage to the north," reflecting loyalty to the monarch residing in the distant capital. This strategically important entrance exemplified the city's hierarchical ties to royal authority.
Jinnamun Gate
Jinnamun was the southern gate of Gwangju's walled citadel, its name literally meaning 'subdue the south'. The gate was built to defend against Japanese pirate raids (wako) that historically threatened from this direction. The original structure is believed to have stood within the area now occupied by the National Asia Culture Centre (국립아시아문화전당). What to see here reflects Gwangju's medieval defensive architecture and strategic importance along trade routes vulnerable to maritime raids.
Gwangrim Gate
Gwangrimun was the eastern gate of Gwangju's citadel, one of four cardinal gates in the city's fortified wall. Its original location is believed to have been approximately where the Hwanggeumdo crossroads now stands in Dong-gu district. This historic gateway formed part of Gwangju's traditional defensive architecture, marking an important entry point to the walled settlement.
Seowonmun (West Gate)
Seowonmun was the eastern gate of Gwangju's citadel, though the POI identifies it as the West Gate. Located near what is now the rear entrance of Jeolla South Girls' School in Gwangsan-dong, the gate's name combines two Chinese characters: 서 (瑞), symbolising auspicious energy from the east, and 원 (元), a character from the I Ching denoting the eastern direction. Today, visitors can explore what remains of this historical fortification, integral to Gwangju's medieval defensive architecture.
Gongburu / Jeolyangngu (North Gate Tower)
Gongburu, also called Jeolyangngu or the North Gate Tower, served as the principal entrance tower to Gwangju's fortified citadel. Located on the northern stretch of the city walls, it now stands where the Gwangju Student Uprising Monument is situated. The structure functioned as a numun—a multi-storey fortified gatehouse integrated into the city's access passage, providing both defensive and ceremonial control over entry to the walled settlement.
Posada Oficial Gwangsangwan
Gwangsangwan (光山館) was the official government hostel that once stood within Gwangju's fortified city during the Joseon period. Serving a dual purpose, it functioned both as a symbolic seat of royal authority and as a practical hub for regional administration and judicial proceedings. This historic building encapsulated the hierarchical governance structure of its era, housing important officials and facilitating the Crown's administrative reach across the provinces.
Huigyeong Pavilion
Huigyeongnu is a two-storey pavilion with a rectangular floor plan, measuring five bays across and four in depth. Originally built in 1451 on the site of the earlier Gongbuk pavilion, it stood north of the official Gwangsangwan inn within Gwangju's fortress walls. The structure was lost during Japanese occupation along with the rest of the citadel. Following meticulous historical documentation, Huigyeongnu was carefully reconstructed in 2023 and now stands opposite Gwangju Park, offering visitors insight into the region's architectural heritage.
Gwandeokjeong Archery Field
Gwandeokjeong was an archery range located within the fortified walls of Gwangju's historic administrative citadel. Part of a larger complex of buildings, it served an essential function in the military and institutional life of the walled city. The facility reflects the structured administrative and martial organisation that characterised the citadel during its period of operation.
- 1.Gongbungmun Gate
- 2.Jinnamun Gate
- 3.Gwangrim Gate
- 4.Seowonmun (West Gate)
- 5.Gongburu / Jeolyangngu (North Gate Tower)
- 6.Posada Oficial Gwangsangwan
- 7.Huigyeong Pavilion
- 8.Gwandeokjeong Archery Field
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