Gyeonghuigung

Gyeonghuigung

Sungjeongjeon
Korean name
Hangul 경희궁
Hanja 慶熙宮
Revised Romanization Gyeonghuigung
McCune–Reischauer Kyŏng-hŭi-gung
Restoration of Gyeonghuigung and view of its surroundings.

Gyeonghui Palace (in Korean: Gyeonghuigung, literally Palace of Serene Harmony) was a palace located in Seoul, South Korea. It was one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the Joseon Dynasty.[1]

In the latter Joseon period, Gyeonghuigung served as the secondary palace for the king, and as it was situated on the west side of Seoul, it was also called Seogwol (a palace of the west). The Secondary palace is usually the palace where the King moves to in times of emergency.

From King Injo to King Cheoljong, about ten kings of Joseon dynasty stayed here at Gyeonghuigung. This palace was built using the slanted geography of the surrounding mountain, has traditional beauty in its architecture and a lot of historical significance. For a time, it was of a considerable size, even to the point of having an arched bridge connecting it to Deoksugung palace. For the king’s royal audience, there were the Sungjeongjeon and Jajeongjeon buildings, and for sleeping, Yungbokjeon and Hoesangjeon buildings.

The Japanese completely destroyed Gyeonghuigung during the Japanese occupation period in order to build a school for Japanese citizens. Reconstruction started in the 1990s as part of the South Korean government's initiative to rebuild the "Five Grand Palaces" that were heavily destroyed by the Japanese. However, due to urban growth and decades of neglect, the government was only able to reconstruct around 33% of the former Palace.[2]

It is Historic Site No. 271.

In the palace grounds today are the Seoul Museum of History and The Seoul Museum annex of art. It also housed Prada's Transformer in 2009.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The 5 Palaces of Seoul". Chosun Ilbo. 24 Januaery 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ↑ http://parks.seoul.go.kr/park/common/park_info/park_info_detail.jsp?p_idx=45&p_cate=4

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gyeonghuigung.

Coordinates: 37°34′17.20″N 126°58′05.30″E / 37.5714444°N 126.9681389°E