A historic festival where you can experience 500-year history of Joseon Dynasty in a day! Jeolla Naval Fortress has been the highest commanding unit of the army that has been constructed in the 17th year of King Taejong of Joseon (1417) and directed 53-ju and 6-jin including Jeollanam-do and Jeju-do for 500 years until the political reform in the year 32 of King Gojong (1895). However, it was burnt during the peasant revolution (Donghak) in 1894, and was abandoned by the new policy in the political reform in 1895.

The fortress extends 1,060m in total length, 3.5m in height and 93.139㎡ (28.175 pyeong) in area, and is designated as a historic site no. 397. Although any buildings and artifacts inside the fortress are lost, the fortress remains intact. In consideration of the historic significance, it is currently being restored under the plan to be repaired by 2010. In particular, the fortress has been a place of exile and labor of Hamel for 7 years since 1656 who first introduced Korea to the western culture. It has a great role as a historic and cultural site related with Hamel along with the neighboring Hamel Memorial Museum.

In the neighboring land of the Jeolla Naval Fortress Site are historic remnants of Hamel during his 7-year stay from 1656 (year 7 of King Hyojong) to 1663 when Hendric Hamel and his crews who first introduced Korea were transported to Gangjin fortress. In commemoration of this, the Hamel Memorial Museum was launched under the sisterhood relationship with Gorcum, Netherlands, the home of Hamel. Tulips and daffodils blossom in spring around the windmill, an iconic symbol of Netherlands.

Jeolla Naval Fortress Festival with Joseon Dynasty army dining