Gyeongbokgung Palace

• Built: 1395

Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace of Korea's Joseon Dynasty. Completed in 1395, its name means roughly "the Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven."

The palace was constructed in conjunction with the relocation of the royal capital from Gaeseong to Hanyang (Seoul). The main gate of the palace was known as Gwanghwamun, and led to Yukjo-geori, or "Six Ministries Street," today known as Sejongno.

Though originally completed in 1395 under King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, the palace saw numerous renovations and expansions over the centuries. The Jaseondang Hall was built within the Crown Prince's Compound in 1427, and the Gwanghwamun Gate was rebuilt four years later. In 1543, the Crown Prince's Compound was destroyed by fire, and the palace as a whole was burned down in the 1592 invasions of Korea by the forces of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. However, the palace was soon rebuilt.

Following other events, the palace was rebuilt once again in 1865, and became the chief royal residence again three years later, when the king moved there from the Changdeokgung Palace.

The Gwanghwamun Gate was moved to the eastern side of the compound in 1927, and was restored twice, in 1968 and 2010.

The palace grounds remain a popular tourist destination today.

References

• "Gyeongbokgung Palace Tour" pamphlet, Seoul Incheon Airport Korean Culture Gallery.