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From : deck2233
Added: Jul 29, 2008
Located in downtown Seoul across the street from City Hall, Deoksu Palace vividly contrasts modern Seoul with traditional Korea. Built during the mid-fifteenth century, it is the smallest of Seoul's palaces. The palace contains many scenic areas and is a favorite among wedding photographers (who can overrun the area on weekdays!). Many local business men and women use the picnic area during lunch as a short escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown life. In 1593, after all the royal palaces had been burnt down during the 1592 Japanese invasion, King Sonjo took up temporary residence in a villa which had been built for prince Wolsan (1454-1488). The ruler, King Kwangaegun, named the temporary residence Kyongun-gung. In 1897, King Kojong expanded the palace to make it suitable as the seat of government. King Sunjong later stayed here, renaming it Deoksu-gung (Palace of Virtuous Longevity). This palace includes some of the best examples of royal architecture of the Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910) and has been designated as Historic Site #124 by the central government for preservation and protection. Sokchon-jeon Hall now houses the Royal Museum. The throne room and audience hall of Deoksu Palace has been designated Treasure #819. King Kojong used it after 1897 when he came to this palace (after leaving the Russian Legation where he had sought refuge after the murder of Queen Min). It stands on a broad, two-tiered stone terrace. In front is a courtyard paved in stone with stone markers that indicat the positions where officials would stand during royal ceremonies. The throne is between the two center-rear pillars. Inside the hall, behind the throne, is a folding screen with a picture of the sun and moon and five peaks, one of the most famous scenes in Korea. A splendid wooden canopy rises above the throne. The building was originally double-roofed, but burned in 1901. It was rebuilt in 1906 with one roof. The roof is hipped and gabled, the most ornate style of Choson period. There are double eaves and especially ornate multi claster-brackets. Recessed in the ceiling are two carved dragons. Bas-relief dragons and a Haet'ae (a mythical fire eating beast that guards from fire) decorate the center stairs and other portions of the building. Chunghwamun Gate Chunghwa-mun gate (designated Treasure #819) is 3 kan (a traditional unit of measure referring to the space between two columns) wide and 2 kan deep. Architecturally similar to Chunghwa-jeon, it includes a multi-cluster bracket structure and a hipped and gabled roof. Because the original Chunghwa-jeon was two-storied, it is assumed that the original Chunghwa-mun was also larger than the present version. The present gate is believed to have been built in 1906 at the same thime that Chunghwa-jeon was rebuilt. The gate's columns, like those of the hall, are higher than those of other palatial structures of comparable dimensions.
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