Today we visited what has become our favorite attraction in Korea thus far! It is called the Hwaseong Fortress. It is a wall built around the city of Suwon, which is about a 30 minute bus ride from where we live. It was amazingly gorgeous! The wall was built in the late 1700's, during the rule of King Jeongjo. It is about 5 miles around, and was built as a defensive fortress. The Hwaseong Palace is enclosed within the wall. There are 41 structures along the wall, including four main gates, four secret gates, and numerous watch towers, pavilions, turrets, archers' platforms, and guard platforms. The wall goes up through a mountainous area, and back down through the town. There was so much beautiful history to see as we walked and explored!
We started our walk by climbing up a small mountain. There was a beautiful lookout pavilion at the top, and the view was breathtaking! We could see the city, with the majestic mountains in the background. Then we followed the wall down the mountain, and explored all of the unique watchtowers and pavilions. I felt like I was standing in the middle of history. My favorite part of the walk was the Dongbuk Gongsimdon, or the Northeast Observation Tower. This tower is an oval-shaped brick building that is three stories high. Inside, it has dimly-lit secret passage ways, and a spiral staircase that leads to the roof. I loved it so much!
As we walked along this beautiful fortress, I couldn't help but think of the hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." Now I have more perspective on that song, and a more real, visual image of what a great fortress looks like. I am thankful for a God who protects us, who triumphs over evil, and who abides with us forever.
"A Mighty Fortress is Our God"
A mighty fortress is our God
A bulwark never failing
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe
His craft and power are great
And armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
Were not the right man on our side
The man of God's own choosing
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He
Lord Sabaoth, His name
From age to age the same
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim
We tremble not for him
His rage we can endure
For lo, his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers
No thanks to them, abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours,
Through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go
This mortal life also
The body they may kill
God's truth abideth still
His kingdom is forever.
Too Cool!
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