Gwangju Castle 🇰🇷

Gwangju Castle was a historic Joseon-period stone fortress in present-day South Korea that served as the center of Gwangju for at least 500 years. Believed to have been built in the early 15th century to help protect against invasions, historical records describe it as a substantial structure with a circumference of 8,253 and a height of 9 (m?).

Though the original castle gradually disappeared and was dismantled during the early 1900s modernization and Japanese rule, you can still explore fascinating modern art and reproductions that mark its historic footprint across the city today. When you visit, you can see a stone wall replica of Jinnam Gate (the former south gate) located at the National Asian Culture Hall.

You will also discover unique artistic tributes replacing the other former gates: the 999-kan Gwangju Folly standing in place of the northern Gongbuk Gate, a gate-shaped sculpture near the old back gate of Jeonnam Girls' High School marking the eastern Seowon Gate to capture eastern energy, and the "Currentization of Memory" work at the Colbox intersection floor marking the western Gwangni Gate.

What to see at Gwangju Castle

• Discover the site of a 500-year-old Joseon-period stone fortress
• View the Jinnam Gate stone wall replica at the National Asian Culture Hall
• See the 999-kan Gwangju Folly replacing the former northern Gongbuk Gate
• Spot the eastern Seowon Gate symbolic sculpture at Jeonnam Girls' High School
• Locate the western Gwangni Gate artistic floor artwork at Colbox intersection

Visiting tips

Look closely at the floor in the middle of the Colbox intersection to find the Gwangnimun Gate artwork naming the four historic castle gates along the fortress outline.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Gwangju Castle is easy to reach on Gwangju’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Mudeungsan National Park and Asian Culture Center. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Gwangju travel guide.