Everything about Gyeongbok totally explained
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.
History
The palace was originally constructed in 1394 by
King Taejo. Gyeongbokgung was continuously 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 formed 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, after the assassination of
Empress Myeongseong by 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, the Japanese took many pictures of poverty in Korea, but didn't take a single photo of this historic site.
After Korean independence, major buildings on the site included Geunjeongjeon, the Imperial throne room (
national treasure number 223), and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (
national treasure number 224), which stands in an artificial lotus lake, resting on 48 granite pillars. The pavilion is depicted on the 10,000
won Korean banknotes.
Today the palace is open to the public, and houses the
National Folk Museum of Korea. The
National Museum of Korea was there too, until it was relocated to
Yongsan-gu in 2005.
Many Koreans still hope to reconstruct 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 to the palace, called
Gwanghwamun, is now being restored to its original state, to be completed in 2009.
The Blue House
The back garden of the palace used to contain the main part of the Governor-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.
Gallery
Image:Gyeonbokgung-Gate-Guards.jpg|Gwanghwamun.
Image:Korea-Gyeongbokgung-Guard.ceremony-08.jpg|Heungnyemun.
Image:Geunjeongjeon.jpg|Geunjeongjeon, the throne hall of the king.
Image:Seoul Gyeongbokgung Throne.jpg|The throne of the king.
Image:Seoul-Gyeongbokgung-Chinjamrye-11.jpg|Gangnyeongjeon
Image:Korea-Gyeongbokgung-Geunjeongmun-01.jpg|Geunjeongmun and Yeongjegyo (bridge)
Image:Gyeongbokgung-Gyeonghoeru-03.jpg|Gyeonghoenu Pavilion.
Image:Gyeongbokgung-KyoTaeJeon.JPG|Gyotaejeon
Image:Jagyeongjeon.JPG|Jagyeongjeon
Image:Korea-Gyeongbokgung-Bihyeongak-01.jpg|Bihyeongak
Image:Gyeongbokgung palace outside.jpg|National Folk Museum of Korea.
Image:Seoul Gyeongbokgung Blue House Bukhansan.jpg|Gyeongbokgung and Cheong Wa Dae, with Bukhansan in the background.
Image:Changingoftheguard1.JPG|Changing of the guard ceremony
Image:Gyeongbokgun-Changing.Guards-02.jpg
Image:Gyeongbokgun-Changing.Guards-03.jpg
Image:Korea Gyeongbokgung.jpg
Further Information
Get more info on 'Gyeongbok'.
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