Kumamoto Castle, the symbol of the city, stands on a hill surrounded by moats and robust stone fortifications that were reputed to be impregnable. Erected between 1601 and 1607, this citadel was a model of military engineering at the time, incorporating no fewer than 49 towers and 29 gates. The castle was nonetheless besieged and burned down in 1877, during the Satsuma revolution. The keep was restored in 1960 to resemble the original but on a concrete framework. Other buildings have also been reconstructed so as to restore the castle, at least partially, to its former glory.