Gyeongbokgung

Gyeongbokgung (Palace) 2011. 12. 5

The Turbulent History of Gyeongbokgung
 

About 

Gyeongbokgung was the first royal palace built by the Joseon Dynasty, three years after the Joseon Dynasty was founded. Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung was located at the heart of newly appointed capital of Seoul (then known as Hanyang) and represented the sovereignty of the Joseon Dynasty. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces (the others being Gyeonghuigung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Changdeokgung), Gyeongbokgung served as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty.

Gyeongbokgung continued to serve as the main palace until the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592 – 1598), when all of the palaces were severely damaged. It was not until about 1868 that the palace was reconstructed and expanded to a 410,000 square meter complex with over 500 buildings. Gyeongbokgung flourished for several decades in this state until the Japanese once again demolished the palaces during their occupation of Korea (1910-1945). Most of the restored buildings were torn down, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated and the Japanese General Government Building was constructed in front of the main area of the palace.

An effort by the Korean government has been ongoing since 1990 to rebuild and restore the buildings that were destroyed during the Japanese occupation. This 40-year restoration project aims to fully restore Gyeongbokgung Palace to its original form in the next twenty years. Currently, the palace is open to the public and houses the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea. Although only about forty percent of the buildings have been restored, there are still many beautiful things to see at the palace. Some of the palace highlights have been noted below.

Geunjeongjeon (Imperial Throne Hall)

Geunjeongjeon is the throne hall of Gyeongbokgung where the king was formally briefed by his officials, issued proclamations, and greeted foreign envoys and ambassadors. It was also the central venue for various coronation ceremonies of the royal household.

Gyeonghoeru (Pavilion)

Gyeonghoeru is located next to Geunjeongjeon. Its architecture is so highly prized for its aesthetic qualities that it once appeared on the Korean 10,000 won banknote. The pavilion is situated on an artificial island in the middle of a rectangular lake with three stone bridges stretching out to the palace grounds, an arrangement which illustrates the way in which traditional Korean architectural style blends simplicity and splendor.

Geoncheonggung (Palace)

Geoncheonggung (Palace) was once the royal residence of Emperor Gojong (the 26th king of the Joseon Dynasty) and his wife, Empress Myeongseong, located within Gyeongbokgung complex. It was reopened to the public on August 15th, 2010 by the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea as part of a project to restore the five grand palaces. on the Geoncheonggung site stands Jangandang (Hall), Emperor Gojong's quarters and Gonnyeonghap (Hall), the quarters of Empress Myeongseong. The royal residence was a place of innovation, with the first electric lights in Korea being installed here in 1887, but it is also a tragic place, where Empress Myeongseong was brutally murdered by Japanese agents. Inside the palace visitors can see some of the royal family's personal possessions.

Hyangwonjeong (Pavilion), Gwanghwamun (Gate), Heungnyemun (Gate), The Changing of the Royal Guard, Sujeongjeon,