Semadae at Doksanseong Fortress

According to legend, Doksanseong Fortress lacked water as there was no well inside its walls. When a Japanese spy discovered this weakness, the Japanese troops lay siege to the fortress. However, General Gwon Yul employed a subtle stratagem to repulse the enemy: He ordered his men to wash some horses by splashing them with an abundance of rice at the Seojangdae Command Post. Upon seeing this, the Japanese troops were convinced there was plenty of water in the fortress, which demoralized them. After that, people began to call the Seojangdae Command Post ‘Semadae” (literally ‘the post for washing horses’). Osan-si holds the Doksanseong Cultural Festival every year to commemorate Joseon’s victory in the battle there.