Malos Meet Korea: Gyeongbuk Palace - It's Good to Be King

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.