Castlemap

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Castles in South Korea

57 landmarks in the Castlemap atlas — every one mapped with a photo and its story, 31 with sourced founding dates, ranked by Wikipedia coverage and real readership.

The most famous castle in South Korea is Gyeongbokgung, ranked #58 of 7,738 in the world — followed by Changdeokgung and Hwaseong Fortress.

The Castlemap atlas charts 12 castles, 32 fortresses, 6 palaces & châteaux and 7 ruins in South Korea. They span more than 17 centuries — from Wolseong (founded 101) to Unhyeongung (1864). Every one is plotted with its photo and story on the interactive castle map of South Korea.

Map of castles in South Korea

On the map they cluster thickest around Pyeongtaek — 27 within a 100 km day trip, then Icheon (24) and Yeoju (22). The northernmost is Gwongeumseong, the southernmost Namhae Japanese Castle — about 372 km apart.

Planning a visit? Day-trip guides: Castles near Seoul · Castles near Suwon · Castles near Ansan · Castles near Pyeongtaek · Castles near Paju · Castles near Icheon — and 6 more in the city index.

See them on the map →

When they were built

Of the 57 landmarks mapped in South Korea, 31 carry a sourced founding date. Most were founded in the 14th century — 4 of them. 20 predate 1500 and 4 were built after 1700.

All 57 castles in South Korea

Frequently asked questions

How many castles are in South Korea?

The Castlemap atlas maps 57 landmarks (12 castles · 32 fortresses · 6 palaces & châteaux · 7 ruins) in South Korea — a curated selection of well-documented landmarks from Wikidata, not a count of every fortification ever built.

What is the most famous castle in South Korea?

Gyeongbokgung, ranked #58 of 7,738 worldwide in the atlas's fame ranking, founded in the 14th century.

What is the oldest castle in South Korea?

The oldest dated landmark in the atlas in South Korea is Wolseong, founded 101. Earlier structures may have existed — this is the oldest with a documented founding year.

Where are most of the castles in South Korea?

They cluster thickest around Pyeongtaek — 27 of the atlas's landmarks within 100 km, then Icheon (24) and Yeoju (22).

Which castles in South Korea are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Per Wikidata, 4 of the mapped landmarks hold a UNESCO World Heritage designation — inscribed in their own right or as part of an inscribed ensemble: Changdeokgung, Hwaseong Fortress, Namhansanseong, Gongsanseong.

How many castles are there in South Korea?

See also: the most famous castle in every country · the oldest in every country · medieval castles · castle statistics.