GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE ( BEOP-GUNG)
With my great interest in Korean culture and history plus traditions, I studied a little on one of the most treasured palace of Korean history if not the number one palace called 경복궁 Gyeongbokgung (경복궁) located at Jongno District of Seoul South Korea. It’s called the Beop-gung (벞-궁) literally meaning where the kings of Joseon lived alongside the Joseon government officials. until the premises were destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592–1598) and abandoned for two centuries. Originally, Gyeongbokgung was originally constructed in 1394 by King Taejo, the first king and the founder of the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung was built three years after the Joseon dynasty was founded and it served as its main palace. Its name was conceived by an influential government minister named Jeong Do-jeon. Afterwards, the palace was continuously expanded during the reign of King Taejong and King Sejong the Great. It was severely damaged by fire in 1553, and its costly restoration, ordered by King Myeongjong, was completed in the following year. During visitation, you can see various statued symbols of Animals and other beautiful creations.
Within the palace walls were the Outer Court (oejeon), offices for the king and state officials, and the Inner Court (naejeon), which included living quarters for the royal family as well as gardens for leisure. Within its extensive precincts were other palaces, large and small, including Junggung (the Queen’s residence) and Donggung (the Crown Prince’s residence). There are four (4) gates to the palace; Heungnyemun Gate (The Second Inner Gate, 흥례문) , Gwanghwamun(광화문 Main and South gate, first constructed in 1395 as the main gate, first constructed in 1395 Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main and most important royal palace during the Joseon Dynasty.) Geunjeongmun Gate (근정문 The Third Inner Gate ) and Sinmumun (신무문, The North Gate), Geonchunmun (건춘문, The East Gate),Yeongchumun (영추문, The West Gate Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (경회루). Also 2 watchtowers Dongsipjagak (동십자각) and Seosipjak (서십작). Although Seosipjak was completely demolished during Japanese occupation, only the site where it was built remains. While Dongsipjagak is located in the middle of the road close to the palace.
Gwanghwamun(광화문 Main and South gate).
Heungnyemun Gate (The Second Inner Gate, 흥례문)
Geunjeongmun Gate (근정문 The Third Inner Gate )
Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
DONGSIPJAGAK ( 동십자각 )
The current Gyeongbokgung palace is very different from the original. All because of the Japanese occupation. As at then 1990 , only 36 buildings out of 500 buildings survived. 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. As a part of phase 5 of the Gyeongbokgung restoration initiative, gwanghwamun, the main gate to the palace, was restored to its original design. Another 20-year restoration project is planned by the South Korean government to restore Gyeongbokgung to its former status. Presently, a restoration project is in progress and Restoration efforts have been ongoing since 1990. The Government-General Building was removed in 1996 and Heungnyemun Gate (2001) and gwanghwamun gate (2006-2010) were reconstructed in their original locations and forms. Today, the palace is arguably regarded as being the most beautiful and grandest of all five palaces. It also houses the national palace museum and the national folk museum within the premises of the complex.
For more vast indepth knowledge
My reference : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeongbokgung
