| Changdeokgung | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Changdeokgung | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Seoul, South Korea |
| Coordinates | 37°34′46″N126°59′34″E / 37.57944°N 126.99278°E /37.57944; 126.99278 |
| Designations | |
| Official name | Changdeokgung Palace Complex |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv) |
| Designated | 1997 |
| Reference no. | 816 |
| Area | 57.9 ha (0.224 sq mi) |
| Official name | Changdeokgung Palace Complex |
| Designated | 1963-01-18 |
| Reference no. | 122 |
| Website | |
| eng | |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 창덕궁 |
| Hanja | 昌德宮 |
| Revised Romanization | Changdeokgung |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ch'angdŏkkung |
Changdeokgung (Korean: 창덕궁;Hanja: 昌德宮;lit. The Palace of Prospering Virtue), also known asChangdeokgung Palace orChangdeok Palace, is set within a large park inJongno District,Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of theJoseon dynasty (1392–1897).[1] As it is located east ofGyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung—along withChanggyeonggung—is also referred to as the "East Palace" (동궐;東闕;Donggwol).
Changdeokgung was the most favored palace of manyJoseon kings and retained many elements dating from theThree Kingdoms of Korea period that were not incorporated in the more contemporaryGyeongbokgung. One such element is the fact that the buildings of Changdeokgung blend with the natural topography of the site instead of imposing themselves upon it. Like the other Five Grand Palaces in Seoul, it was heavily damaged during theJapanese occupation of Korea (1910–1945). Currently, only about 30% of the pre-Japanese structures of the East Palace Complex (Changdeokgung together withChanggyeonggung) survive.[2]
.jpg)
 | This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(August 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Changdeokgung was the second palace afterGyeongbokgung which had been established in 1395 as a primary palace. In the midst of strife for the throne between princes and vassals, authority of Gyeongbokgung was deteriorated.King Jeongjong enthroned byPrince Jeong-an (Yi Bang-won), who later became King Taejong, moved the capital toGaegyeong, the capital ofGoryeo, again in 1400 on the pretext of its superior geographical features, but in fact, to avert a power struggle. King Taejong (Yi Bang-won) soon took over the throne and returned toHansŏng (present-daySeoul). Taejong was reluctant to build Gyeongbokgung Palace, which had been built by his political opponentJeong Do-jeon, as well as being the place where he had killed his half-brothers for the throne, and therefore built new palace (namedChangdeokgung). Construction of Changdeokgung began in 1405, and was completed in 1412.King Seonjo expanded the palace grounds by about 500,000 square meters, includingHuwon (see below).
The palace was burnt to the ground during theJapanese invasion in 1592 by crowd and reconstructed in 1609 by King Seonjo andKing Gwanghaegun. The palace burned down again in 1623 because ofKing Injo a political Revolt againstGwanghaegun. The palace was also attacked by theManchuQing but throughout its history of reconstruction and repair has remained faithful to its original design. Changdeokgung was the site of the royal court and the seat of government until 1868, when the neighboringGyeongbokgung was rebuilt. Korea's last Emperor,Sunjong lived here until his death in 1926.
Parts of the palace (notably Nakseon-jae hall) continued to function as a royal residence up to 1989, when bothPrincess Deokhye andCrown Princess Bangja died. Other post-WWII residents included EmpressSunjeong (Sunjong's second wife), Crown PrinceYi Un, his sonYi Gu and Yi Gu's wifeJulia Mullock. However, residence in the palace in the post-war period was at the whim of the republican leaders, and after the Korean liberation in 1945 it would take the resignation ofRhee Syngman for former imperial family members to be allowed back in.
Today there are 13 buildings remaining on the palace grounds and 28 pavilions in the gardens, occupying 110 acres (45 hectares) in all and the area is designated as Historical Site No. 122. Buildings of note include Donhwamun (built in 1412, rebuilt in 1607, with a copper bell weighing 9short tons or 8metric tons), Injeongjeon (main hall), Seongjeongjeon (auxiliary office in the main hall), Huijeongdang (the king's private residence, later used as a conference hall), Daejojeon (living quarters), and Nakseon-jae.
The palace was built between Peak Maebong of Mt. Bugaksan in the back and River Geumcheon having flowing in the front influenced by the principlebaesanimsu (배산임수;lit. back to hill, face to water') inFeng Shui theory. Contrary to Gyeongbokgung whose main buildings are arranged in accurate architectural principle, however, buildings in Changdeokgung are disposed more freely without a regular system. Though its structure seems chaotic at a glance, all buildings are in harmony with the environment surrounding them.
Changdeokgung consists of governmental area (치조;治朝;chijo) centering on Injeongjeon and Seonjeongjeon, royal private area (침전;寢殿;chimjeon;lit. a house of king's bedroom), Nakseonjae area in the east, and Huwon beyond the north hills. Most of major official buildings such as Injeongjeon, main hall of Changdeokgung, Seonjeongjeon, king's office, and many of government offices (궐내각사;闕內各司;gwollaegaksa) are placed in the front parts of the palace, beyond which there are royal private court for king and queen. Kings' houses like Seonjeongjeon, Huijeongdang, and Nakseonjae are surrounded in many folds of buildings and courts in case any outsider breaks in. The architectural style of Changdeokgung overall features simplicity and frugality because of Confucian ideology prosperous during the Joseon Period.[3] Through the commitment to Confucianism, royal members and scholars used principles to maintain a bureaucratic state and socio-political order.[4]
Structures of particular interest include:
Behind the palace lies the 78-acre (32 ha) Huwon (후원, 後苑,Rear garden) which was originally constructed for the use of the royal family and palace women. The garden incorporates a lotus pond, pavilions, and landscaped lawns, trees, and flowers. There are over 26,000 specimens of a hundred different species of trees in the garden and some of the trees behind the palace are over 300 years old. The garden for the private use of the king had been called 'Geumwon' (금원, 禁苑,Forbidden garden) because even high officials were not allowed to enter without the king's permission. It had also been called 'Naewon' (내원, 內苑, 'Inner garden'). Today Koreans often call it 'Biwon' (비원, 秘院,Secret garden) which derived from the office of same name in the late 19th century. Though the garden had many other names, the one most frequently used throughJoseon dynasty period was 'Huwon'.[5]
In September 2012, the Buyongjeong pavilion in the garden was re-opened after a year-long restoration project. The pavilion was restored based on theDonggwoldo from 1820,National Treasures of South Korea No. 249.[6]
A variety of ceremonies hosted by the king were held in Huwon. In the early period of the Joseon dynasty, military inspections in which the king participated were often held here.King Sejo had troops parade and array before him or commanded them by himself in the garden. In addition, feasts were given, archery tournaments held, and fireworks enjoyed in Huwon.
The Ongnyucheon (옥류천, 玉流川, "Jade Stream") area is of particular interest. It contains a U-shaped water channel carved in 1636 for floating wine cups, with a small waterfall and an inscribed poem on the boulder above it. The area also contains five small pavilions.
Changdeokgung was added to theUNESCOWorld Heritage List in 1997. The UNESCO committee stated the place was an "outstanding example of Far Eastern palace architecture and garden design" being exceptional because the buildings are "integrated into and harmonized with the natural setting" and adapted "to the topography and retaining indigenous tree cover."[7]
Portions of the palace were used to film the hugely popular Korean dramaDae Jang Geum in the first decade of the 21st century.
From April to October 2018, Changdeokgung hosted the 2018 Changdeok Palace moonlight tour. Changdeok Palace moonlight tours are special events where visitors can experience life at the palace. It typically took about two hours and starts at Donhwamun Gate, the main gate of Changdeokgung, at 8 p.m.[8]
.jpg)
.jpg)
%2c_Changdeokgung_-_Seoul%2c_Korea.JPG)
Media related toChangdeokgung at Wikimedia Commons
|  | |
