Jinjuseong Castle (area 1,760m2, stone castle) is a sacred ground of Jinju in which the history and culture of Jinju are well integrated. Originally it had been a mud castle. But it was rebuilt with stones against frequent invasion by sea marauders in the 5th year of King Woo, Goryeo Dynasty(1379). During the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, General Gim Si-min won a battle at this castle, which was one of three great victories in the war. And the next year(1593), in the second Jinjuseong Battle, about 70,000 militia corps and government troops resisted to the last to die for their country gloriously.
This castle was used for the provincial office of Gyeongsangnam-do from 1895 to 1925. From 1969, the first Jinjuseong Restoration Project was started. In 1972, Chokseongmun was completed, and in 1975, fortress repair was finished. From 1979, the second Restoration Project was conducted. Removal of 751 private houses was promoted and was completed in 1984. In 1992, as the third project, outer wall of castle was improved. There are many historical relics on this site such as Jinju National Museum, Jinjuseong Imjindaecheop Gyesasunuidan Altar, Changnyeolsa Temple, and Hoguksa Temple. Location: Bonseong-dong, Namseong-dong, Jinju, yeongsangnam-do, Korea
Size: 176,804m2
Construction Period: Goryeo Dynasty (1079-1229)
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival
During the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, General Gim Si-min and 3,800 government troops flew pungdeungs (pungdeung: a lamp that was flown high with using the wind) and floated lamplights down the river with torches to signal the support forces, in the Jinjuseong Battle. Also, they used these lamps for a military
purpose: to keep the Japanese invaders from crossing the river and to communicate with the soldiers’ families who stayed outside the castle.
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival (Yudeung: floating lamps down the river) was begun to commemorate the patriotic spirit of 70,000 militia corps and government troops who died for their country in the second Jinjuseong Battle(year of Gyesa, 1593) and to hand down the tradition of Yudeung. This festival had been held in Jinju for a long time, then in 1949 the present type of Yudeung festival was established and has been held annually. In 2002, this festival was designated as the “specialized local festival” by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism to be run more efficiently.
Duration : Oct. 1 ~ 14, every year
Main Events : Creative Lamp Making, Yudeung Floating, Pungdeung Flying, Wish Lamp Hanging, Lamp Making Demonstration, Jinjuseong Battle Revival, International Lamp Show, Traditional Lamp Show
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