Gyeongbok Palace
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| Gyeongbok Palace | ||||||||
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| Image:Korea gyeongbokgung.jpg Hwangwonjeong, pavillion in Gyeongbok Palace | ||||||||
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Gyeongbok Palace (경복궁, Gyeongbokgung) is a palace located in northern Seoul, South Korea. It was the main and largest palace of the Joseon Dynasty and one of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty.
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[edit] History
The palace was originally constructed in 1394 by Jeong Do-jeon. Gyeongbokgung continuation expanded during the reign of King Taejong and King Sejong the Great. but part of the palace was burnt down during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598).
During the regency of Daewon-gun in 1867 the buildings were reconstructed and stood at a massive 330 building complex with 5,792 rooms. Standing on 4,414,000 square feet (410,000 square meters) of land, it was a symbol of majesty for the Korean people and the home of the royal family. In 1895 the assassination of Empress Myeongseong by the Japanese agents, her husband, Emperor Gojong left the palace and the imperial family would never return.
In 1911, the government of Japan demolished all but 10 buildings during the period of Korea under Japanese rule, constructing the Japanese General Government Building for the Governor-General of Korea in front of the throne hall. Oddly Japan took many pictures of poverty in Korea, but did not take a single photo of this historic site.
After Korean independence, major buildings on the site include Geunjeongjeon, the Imperial throne room (national treasure number 223), and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (national treasure number 224), which stands in an artificial lotus lake and rests on 48 granite pillars. The pavilion is depicted on the Korean banknotes of 10,000 won.
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 resurrect 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Gallery
Gyeonbokgung-Gate-Guards.jpg
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Korea-Gyeongbokgung-Guard.ceremony-08.jpg
Heungnyemun. |
Geunjeongjeon.jpg
Geunjeongjeon, the throne hall of the king. |
Seoul Gyeongbokgung Throne.jpg
The throne of the king. |
Seoul-Gyeongbokgung-Chinjamrye-11.jpg
Gangnyeongjeon |
Korea-Gyeongbokgung-Geunjeongmun-01.jpg
Geunjeongmun and Yeongjegyo (bridge) |
Gyeongbokgung-Gyeonghoeru-03.jpg
Gyeonghoenu Pavilion. |
Gyeongbokgung-KyoTaeJeon.JPG
Gyotaejeon |
Jagyeongjeon.JPG
Jagyeongjeon |
Korea-Gyeongbokgung-Bihyeongak-01.jpg
Bihyeongak |
Gyeongbokgung palace outside.jpg
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Seoul Gyeongbokgung Blue House Bukhansan.jpg
Gyeongbokgung and Cheong Wa Dae, with Bukhansan in the background. |
Changingoftheguard1.JPG
Changing of the guard ceremony |
Gyeongbokgun-Changing.Guards-02.jpg
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Gyeongbokgun-Changing.Guards-03.jpg
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Gyeonbokgung-Gate-Guards-03.jpg
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[edit] See also
- Gwanghwamun
- National Folk Museum of Korea
- List of Korea-related topics
- History of Korea
- Korean architecture
[edit] External links
- Official guide from Cultural Heritage Administration
- Gyeongbok Palace
- Official Blue House history summary
- 영이
- Video of Royal Gate Ceremony, Gyeongbokgung
- The Architecture and Skyscraper Community of Korea (English translated)
- Photosynth view of Gyeongbokgung showing the palace and surrounding areas in three-dimensional space (plugin required)
The "Five Grand Palaces" of Joseon-Dynasty Seoul |
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| Changdeokgung · Changgyeonggung · Deoksugung · Gyeongbokgung · Gyeonghuigung |
es:Gyeongbokgung id:Istana Kyongbok ko:경복궁 it:Gyeongbokgung nl:Gyeongbokgung ja:景福宮 ru:Кёнбоккун zh:景福宮 (朝鮮)
