Gyeongbokgung, also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, was the
main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is located in
northern Seoul, South Korea.
The largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty,
Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings'
households, as well as the government of Joseon.
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Main and South Gate (Gwanghwamun).
Gwanghwamun is the main and largest gate of Gyeongbok Palace, in
Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
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It is located at a three-way intersection at the northern end of
Sejongno.
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As a landmark and symbol of Seoul's long history as the capital city
during the Joseon Dynasty, the gate has gone through multiple periods
of destruction and disrepair.
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The most recent large-scale restoration work on the gate was finished
and it was opened to the public on August 15, 2010.
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See more at
Gwanghwamun - Wikipedia.
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Second Inner Gate (Heungnyemun).
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Changing of the Royal Guard.
The royal changing of the guard ceremony is held in front of the main
gate every hour from 10:00 to 15:00.
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There are many tourists wearing hanbok while visiting Gyeongbokgung
and there are also a number of rental shops nearby selling hanbok and
other traditional Korean clothing.
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In a poll of nearly 2,000 foreign visitors, conducted by the Seoul
Metropolitan Government in November 2011, stated that watching the
changing of the guards at the main gate Gwanghwamun is their third
favorite activity in Seoul.
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Gyeongbokgung Palace map.
By the end of 2009, it was estimated that approximately 40 percent of
the structures that were standing before the Japanese occupation of
Korea were restored or reconstructed.
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As a part of phase 5 of the Gyeongbokgung restoration initiative,
Gwanghwamun, the main gate to the palace, was restored to its original
design.
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Another 20-year restoration project is planned by the South Korean
government to restore Gyeongbokgung to its former status.
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Third Inner Gate (Geunjeongmun).
Geunjeongmun, aligned and located directly to the south of
Geunjeongjeon, is the main gate to the courtyard and to Geunjeongjeon.
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The gate is divided into three separate aisles, and only the king was
allowed to walk through the center.
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Small bridge (Yeongjegyo).
Having passed through the initial Main gate (Gwanghwamun) and Secondary
gate (Heungnyemun), visitors would pass over a small bridge named
Yeongjegyo.
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Located on the top of the canal right next to the bridge were several
imaginary creatures known as Seosu.
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Cheonrok, four animal-shaped statues, that are made of stone
were overlooking the water on the left and right side of Youngjegyo
Bridge. These imaginary creatures have scales on the body, strong
claws, glaring eyes, and a horn. They keep eyes on the unusual energy
that might come in through the waterways.
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As a mythical animal, the Cheonrok said “When the King’s grace spreads
all the country, they will appear.” One of the four Cheonroks has its
tongue sticking out, so it looks very cute because it shows its
intimacy.
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Outer Court (Oejeon).
The stone-paved courtyard is lined with two rows of rank stones, called
pumgyeseok, indicating where the court officials are to stand
according to their ranks.
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Throne Hall (Geunjeongjeon).
Geunjeongjeon, also known as Geunjeongjeon Hall, is the throne hall
where the king formally granted audiences to his officials, gave
declarations of national importance, and greeted foreign envoys and
ambassadors during the Joseon dynasty.
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Geunjeongjeon was originally constructed in 1395 during the reign of
King Taejo, but was burned down in 1592 when the Japanese invaded
Korea.
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The present building was built in 1867 when Gyeongbokgung was being
reconstructed.
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The name Geunjeongjeon, created by the minister Jeong Do-jeon, means
"diligent governance hall".
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Phoenix Throne.
The central feature of the throne room in Gyeongbokgung is the elevated
Phoenix throne.
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The Phoenix Throne (eojwa) is the term used to identify the
throne of the hereditary monarchs of Korea.
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The phoenix motif symbolizes the king's supreme authority. The phoenix
has a long association with Korean royalty.
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See more at
Phoenix Throne - Wikipedia.
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Sujeongjeon hall.
Sujeongjeon, a building located to the south of Gyeonghoeru, was
constructed in 1867 and used by the cabinet of the Joseon dynasty.
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It is Korea where Jiphyeonjeon Hall was located during King Sejong's
reign.
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The historical and architectural value is high because it is the only
building that remains in the outer space corresponding to the west
side of Geunjeongjeon Hall.
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Royal banquet hall (Gyeonghoeru).
Gyeonghoeru, also known as Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, is a hall used to hold
important and special state banquets during the Joseon Dynasty.
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The first Gyeonghoeru was constructed in 1412, the 12th year of the
reign of King Taejong, but was burned down during the Japanese
invasions of Korea in 1592.
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The present building was constructed in 1867 (the 4th year of the
reign of King Gojong) on an island of an artificial, rectangular lake
that is 128 m wide and 113 m across.
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Executive Office (Sajeongjeon).
Sajeongjeon Hall, is a building used as the main executive office by the
king during the Joseon Dynasty. Located behind Geunjeongjeon Hall, the
king carried out his executive duties and held meetings with the top
government officials in Sajeongjeon.
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Two separate side buildings, Cheonchujeon (left) and Manchunjeon
(right), flank the west and east of Sajeongjeon (center), and while
Sajeongjeon is not equipped with a heating system, these buildings are
equipped with Ondols for their use in the colder months.
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King's Quarters (Gangnyeongjeon).
Gangnyeongjeon, also called Gangnyeongjeon Hall, is a building used as
the king's main residing quarters.
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First constructed in 1395, the fourth year of King Taejo, the building
contains the king's bed-chamber.
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Destroyed during the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592, the building
was rebuilt when Gyeongbokgung was reconstructed in 1867, but it was
again burned down by a major fire in November 1876 and had to be
restored in 1888 following the orders of King Gojong.
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However, when Huijeongdang of Changdeokgung Palace was burned down by
a fire in 1917, the Japanese government dismembered the building.
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Current Gangnyeongjeon was built in 1994, meticulously restoring the
building to its original specifications and design.
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Queen's Quarters (Gyotaejeon).
Gyotaejeon, also called Gyotaejeon Hall, is a building used as the main
residing quarters by the queen during the Joseon Dynasty.
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he building is located behind Gangnyeongjeon, the king's quarters, and
contains the queen's bed chamber. It was first constructed in around
1440, the 22nd year of King Sejong the Great.
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The building was burned down in 1592 when the Japanese invaded Korea,
but was reconstructed in 1867.
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When Daejojeon of Changdeokgung Palace was burned down by a fire in
1917, the Japanese government disassembled the building.
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The current building was reconstructed in 1994 according to its
original design and specifications.
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Amisan garden.
Amisan, a famous garden created from an artificial mound, is located
behind Gyotaejeon.
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Four hexagonal chimneys, constructed around 1869 in orange bricks and
decorative roof tiles, adorn Amisan without showing their utilitarian
function and are notable examples of formative art created during the
Joseon Dynasty.
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Two-story hexagonal pavilion (Hyangwonjeong).
Hyangwonjeong, or Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, is a small, two-story
hexagonal pavilion built around 1873 by the order of King Gojong.
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The pavilion was constructed on an artificial island of a lake named
Hyangwonji, and a bridge named Chwihyanggyo connects it to the palace
grounds.
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The name Hyangwonjeong is loosely translated as "Pavilion of
Far-Reaching Fragrance", while Chwihyanggyo is "Bridge Intoxicated
with Fragrance".
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National Folk Museum of Korea.
National Folk Museum of Korea is a national museum of South Korea,
located within the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno-gu,
Seoul. It uses replicas of historical objects to illustrate the history
of traditional life of the Korean people.
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The museum has over 98,000 artifacts and three main exhibition halls:
"History of Korean People" features materials of everyday life in
Korea from prehistoric times to the end of the Joseon Dynasty in 1910;
"Korean Way of Life", which illustrates Korean villagers in ancient
times; and "Life Cycle of the Koreans", which depicts the deep roots
of Confucianism in Korean culture and how this ideology gave rise to
most of the culture's customs.
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See more at
National Folk Museum of Korea - Wikipedia.
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Dol hareubangs.
Dol hareubangs from Jeju Island on display outside the National Folk
Museum of Korea in Seoul
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Dol hareubangs, also called tol harubangs, hareubangs, or harubangs,
are large rock statues found on Jeju Island off the southern tip of
South Korea.
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They are considered to be gods offering both protection and fertility
and were placed outside of gates for protection against demons
travelling between realities.
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Dol hareubangs are carved from porous basalt (volcanic rock) and can
be up to three metres high.
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The statues' faces feature grinning expressions, bulging eyes without
pupils, a long, broad nose, and slight smile, and their hands rest on
their bellies, one slightly above the other. In sets of two, one has a
higher left hand, and the other a higher right hand.
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See more at
Dol hareubang - Wikipedia.
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See also
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