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Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace of Korea's [[Joseon Dynasty]] up until its destruction in [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi|Toyotomi Hideyoshi's]] [[Korean Invasions|invasions of Korea]] in the 1590s. Completed in [[1395]], its name means roughly "the Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven."

Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace of Korea's [[Joseon Dynasty]] up until its destruction in [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi|Toyotomi Hideyoshi's]] [[Korean Invasions|invasions of Korea]] in the 1590s. 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) in [[1394]]; an Office of Palace Construction was established that year, and the palace itself was formally established the following year. The main gate of the palace was known as Gwanghwamun, and led to Yukjo-geori, or "Six Ministries Street," today known as Sejongno.

The palace was constructed in conjunction with the relocation of the royal capital from Gaeseong to Hanyang (Seoul) in [[1394]]; an Office of Palace Construction was established that year, and the palace itself was formally established the following year. 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 two more structures, the Sajeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, were built two years later. The Gwanghwamun Gate was rebuilt in [[1431]], and in [[1434]], a structure called the Borugak Hall was built, and installed with a water clock. 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.

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 two more structures, the Sajeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, were built two years later. The Gwanghwamun Gate was rebuilt in [[1431]], and in [[1434]], a structure called the Borugak Hall was built, and installed with a water clock. A formal Royal Gate Guards group known as Sumunjang was established in [[1469]], along with a formal changing-of-the-guards ceremony; prior to this, a group called ''hogun'' (security army), part of the Five Commands (''owi''), oversaw the guarding of the palace.

 

The Crown Prince's Compound was destroyed by fire in [[1543]], and the palace as a whole was burned down in the [[1592]] invasions of Korea by the forces of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

The palace grounds were then abandoned for over 250 years, before being finally rebuilt in [[1865]]-[[1867]]. Gyeongbokgung became the chief royal residence again in [[1868]], when the king moved there from the Changdeokgung Palace. A new residence, known as Geoncheonggung, was built in [[1873]], but much of the palace suffered from a fire three years later.

The palace grounds were then abandoned for over 250 years, before being finally rebuilt in [[1865]]-[[1867]]. Gyeongbokgung became the chief royal residence again in [[1868]], when the king moved there from the Changdeokgung Palace. A new residence, known as Geoncheonggung, was built in [[1873]], but much of the palace suffered from a fire three years later.

The palace has been restored in a number of stages over the course of the postwar period, and has become a major tourist destination.

The palace has been restored in a number of stages over the course of the postwar period, and has become a major tourist destination.

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