Naju City
For approximately 1,000 years, from the early Goryeo period to the Joseon Dynasty, Naju served as the administrative center of Jeolla-do. Naju played a leading role in the founding of the Goryeo Dynasty alongside Taejo. It later served as a temporary capital when the king took refuge there during the Khitan invasion. In 983 (the 2nd year of King Seongjong’s reign), 12 mok were established as regional centers of governance across the country. Naju then became known as Naju-mok and emerged as the leading administrative center of Jeolla-do. In 1018 (the 9th year of King Hyeonjong’s reign), the country was reorganized into eight mok. Naju represented the area corresponding to present-day Jeonnam–Gwangju, marking the establishment of Jeolla-do.
King Hyeonjong of Goryeo Takes Refuge in Naju and Holds the Palgwanhoe Ceremony
The Palgwanhoe was a royal ceremony held during the Goryeo period to pray for the peace and prosperity of the state. King Hyeonjong took refuge in Naju, the home of his maternal relatives, during the Khitan invasion. He remained there for nearly 10 days. During King Hyeonjong’s reign, the Palgwanhoe was held in Naju as well as in Gaegyeong and Seogyeong, demonstrating Naju’s prominent status during the Goryeo period.
Najueupseong, the Largest Walled Town in Honam
An 1872 map of Naju-mok vividly depicts Najueupseong, the largest walled town in the Honam region, and its four main gates. It also shows the Naju-mok government offices, Jeolla Uyeong military headquarters, the stone mast, the Yeongsangang River waterway and its grain transport vessels, the ferry landing of Yeongsanchang, and the islands under Naju’s jurisdiction in the southwestern sea. Najueupseong Walled Town protected the administrative seat of Naju-mok for a thousand years. Within its walls stood key government facilities, including the royal guesthouse, magistrate’s office, inner quarters, local council office, administrative office, and four main gates. Geumseonggwan was a provincial royal guesthouse that symbolized the authority of the royal court and accommodated visiting envoys. It is the largest surviving guesthouse from the Joseon period. Its central hall features a distinctive hipped-and-gabled roof, making it a rare architectural example that has been designated as a Treasure.
1872 Map of Naju-mok
Geumseonggwan