On to Gyeongbokgung. "Palace Greatly Blessed By Heaven" was built in 1395, three years after the Joseon Dynesty was founded and stands in the heart of the city. Surrounded by high stone walls there were four main gates - one on the east, west, north and south and watchtowers on every corner. Japan burned or partially destroyed this palace twice, once in 1592 and again in 1911, but originally, these extensive premises contained many smaller palaces as well as the two major ones. Today, it is being slowly rebuilt and restored. You might be wondering how they know what to construct. In the National Museum hundreds - maybe more - beautiful paintings (on silk) of the original architectural plans were saved. Of course - no architectual computer programs in 1395. What did we expect.
Palace Guards
Entrance to Palace
Throne room - opposite entrance.
Looking back towards entrance and downtown Seoul.
Throne
Palace furniture, paintings, and decorations
The palace, as most Korean buildings, used undal heating system (heat under the floor).
Palace buildings and landscape
Ceremonial Wear. Sometimes they would wear 10 different outfits in one day.
Ceremonial Wear
Silk Screens, embroidary, and paintings
This painting was only used behind the kings throne
Inlaid Mother of Pearl
Roof ornaments to ward off evil spirits.
Ceiling designs that could only be used above the king
Korean water clock
Embroidary pattern
Silk Flags
No cameras? No problem. In order to keep a record of important events as well as all official protocal,
detailed paintings were done by palace scribes and kept in a secure place. There are hundreds of these - many on display in the palace museum
Embroidered silk "gift wrapping".
Musical Instruments
Palace Buildings
Ornaments to ward off evil spirits.
Note openings for undal heat.
Royal garden entrance
Ceilings and Eaves
Pond Behind Palace
Building where the king entertained guests.
King's library
Buildings restored after Japanese destruction in the early 1900's. Buildings are unpainted because it was not a royal residence. The king did, however, hold meetings here.
One of the original guard posts at the corner of the palace grounds - dated 1360.
