Gyeongbokgung

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Gyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung
Korean name
Hangul 경복궁
Hanja 景福宮
Revised Romanization Gyeongbokgung
McCune-Reischauer Kyŏngbokkung


Introduction

Gyeongbokgung is a classical palace grounds and the home of two National treasures of South Korea. Built in accord with the Chinese model, the palace sits near the center of Seoul and faces the south located at the foot of mountains the surround the grounds. Gyeongbokgung (Gyeongbok Palace) is the main and largest palace of the Joseon Dynasty and one of the Five Grand Palaces.

History

Joseon dynasty kings lived in Gyeongbokgung from soon after the founding of the dynasty in 1395 until the Hideoshi Invasion of Korea in 1592 when the royal family moved to nearby Doksu palace. The king returned to Gyeongbokgung in 1872 until 1897.

In 1395, Yi T'aejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty, ordered Jeong Do-jeon, a renowned Korean architect, to design and build a palace on the exact spot he pointed out. Gyeongbokgung means "Shining Happiness." During the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598) Korean slave seeking to destroy records of their bondage burnt down the palace. The palace grounds remained in ruins until 1865 when Gojong of Korea's court began rebuilding the palace.

The project of rebuilding Gyeongbokgung to the original dimensions of 330 buildings with 5,792 rooms, covering 4,414,000 square feet (410,000 square meters) required seven years and a royal fortune. Gogong and his court moved into the reconstructed palace grounds in 1872. Soon after the assassination of Empress Myeongseong instigated by the Japanese agents in 1895, her husband, Gojong of Korea left the palace and the imperial family never returned.

In 1911, the government of Japan demolished all but ten buildings during the period of Korea under Japanese rule, constructing the Japanese General Government Building, Seoul for the Governor-General of Korea in front of the throne hall.

Palace Grounds

Gwanghwamun (Gate of Transformation by Light). Gwanghwamun is a central land mark is present day Seoul standing in front of the city government buildings. During the height of the Joseon dynasty, government buildings lined the broad avenue leading up to the gate. Gwanghwamun had three arched entrances, the center entrance reserved only for the king. Hae T'ae (Sea Monsters), two large mythical creatures sit next to the gate intended to protect the palace from fire.

Gyeongbokgung boasted three additional main gates built in 1865: East Gate (Gate of Establishing Spring), used only by the royal family, and North Gate (Gate of the Divne Warriors)used only by the king, still stand in their original places. The West Gate (Welcoming Autumn Gate) dismantled in 1926, allowed entrance to those coming to the palace on general business. A palace wall connected the gates and surrounded the complex. Parts of the east, north, and west walls still stand.

Geunjeongjeon: The Imperial Throne Room (National Treasure No. 223) Geunjeongjeon, the Imperial Throne Room (National treasures of South Korea No. 223), stands directly behind the present day government buildings. A magnificent gate, Gunjoengmun (Gate of Government by restraint) leads to Geunjeongjeon. An expansive stone courtyard surrounding the Imperial Throne Room greets the subject. A tile-roofed corridor runs the four sides around the court yard. At one time or another, 500 of various sizes stood there. Today only sixteen remain.

A straight path runs from Gunjoengmun to the Imperial throne room. Stone tablets marked with numbers indicating rank line both sides of the path in rows accommodating the nine ranks of court officials. Gyeongbokgung sits on a stone platform that is constructed in two levels. The Imperial Throne Room imposing dominates the entire palace area. An expansive double-tier roof is supported by two gigantic posts. The royal throne platform is within the building near the rear and in the center. The king met with all persons of importance in that room.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion : National Treasure No. 224

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (National treasures of South Korea No. 224) sits in a beautiful setting, appearing to float is a mirror-like pond that surrounds it.


which stands in an artificial lotus lake and rests on forty-eight granite pillars. The pavilion is depicted on the South Korean 10,000 won bill.


Today the palace is open to the public, and the National Folk Museum of Korea is located on the site. The National Museum of Korea was there too, until it was relocated to Yongsan-gu in 2005.

Many Koreans still hope to restore part of the original palace. Archeological work has brought 330 building foundations to light. However, the original magnificence of the palace may never be fully restored. Fortunately, the main gate into the palace called Gwanghwamun is now being restored to its original state to be completed in 2009.

Gyeongbokgung and Cheong Wa Dae, with Bukhansan in the background

The Blue House

The back garden of the Palace used to contain the main part of the Governror-General's residence during the Japanese era. With the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948, President Syngman Rhee used it as his office and residence. In 1993, after President Kim Young-sam's civilian administration was launched, the Japanese governor-general's residence in the Cheong Wa Dae compound was dismantled to remove a major symbol of the Japanese colonial occupation.

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References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Haeoe Hongbowŏn (Korea). Guide to Korean cultural heritage. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym 2003. ISBN 9781565912137
  • Lee, Gil-sang. Exploring Korean history through world heritage. Seongnam-si: Academy of Korean Studies 2006. ISBN 9788971055519
  • Suh, Jai-sik. World heritage in Korea. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym. 2001. ISBN 9781565911710

External links


The "Five Grand Palaces" of Joseon-Dynasty Seoul
Changdeokgung | Changgyeonggung | Deoksugung | Gyeongbokgung | Gyeonghuigung

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