As a UNESCO World Heritage City, Gongju holds a legacy that transcends time, centered around the history of the Baekje Kingdom (18 BCE – 660 CE). At its heart lies the magnificent Gongsanseong Fortress, a UNESCO-recognized site with 2,450-meter-long stone walls.
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| [Photo] An aerial view of Gongsanseong Fortress, the final stronghold of the Baekje Kingdom. The majestic Geumgang River flows gracefully to the left, serving as a natural defense for this 1,400-year-old historical site. (Source: K-Heritage Channel) |
This fortress was the final stronghold where Baekje’s last monarch, King Uija, made his last stand against the combined forces of the Silla Kingdom and the Tang Dynasty of China—the dominant global superpower of that era. It was here, within these very walls, that the 700-year-old kingdom reached its tragic end.
While the kingdom fell, its essence remained buried for 1,400 years, waiting to be rediscovered. The most tangible evidence of this history came to light in 2011 during excavations within Gongsanseong Fortress. In a remarkable archaeological find, carbonized chestnuts were discovered within the sediment layers of an ancient reservoir.
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| [Photo] Carbonized chestnuts excavated in 2011 from the Baekje-era reservoir strata within Gongsanseong Fortress. The 1,400-year-old inner skins remain remarkably intact, testifying to the long-standing heritage of Gongju chestnuts. (Source: K-Heritage Channel) |
Astonishingly, even after 1,400 years, the outer shells (inner skins) were found almost perfectly intact, preserved by the unique environment of the reservoir's strata. This discovery proves that these fruits were a staple for the Baekje people and a prized item of tribute, highly valued by the Royal Court. While chestnuts were enjoyed by people of all backgrounds, the finest harvests were carefully selected to be presented at the royal table and used in sacred palace rituals.
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| [Photo] At the 'Winter Gongju Roasted Chestnut Festival,' held annually alongside the Chestnut Industry Expo, over 300,000 visitors gather to roast chestnuts over open wood fires, sharing warm memories of winter. |
This historical prestige is well-documented in ancient records; both the Records of the Three Kingdoms (from China's Jin Dynasty) and the Book of the Later Han (from China's Han Dynasty) marvel at the region's produce, describing "chestnuts as large as pears." Today, this 1,400-year-old heritage is being reborn as a global industry.
A protected 150-year-old chestnut tree in Wolsan-ri stands as a living monument, still bearing fruit that carries the lineage of this ancient tradition. To honor this history, Gongju, along with Buyeo and Cheongyang, is preparing the 2028 International Chestnut Industry Expo (Jan. 22 – Feb. 13, 2028).
This event will prove that the chestnuts once honored at the Baekje royal table are now ready to captivate the world as a premium superfood with a deep historical narrative.▪
* Reference: For more information on the 2028 International Chestnut Industry Expo, visit our official YouTube channel @chestnutnews.