Changdeokgung
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Template:Koreanname Changdeokgung (English: Palace of Illustrious Virtue) is a palace located in Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty.
The Changdeok Palace was built in 1405, completed in 1412 with the construction of the main gate Tonwhamun. King Sejo expanded the palace grounds about 500,000 square meters. The Palace was burnt to the ground during the Japanese invasion in 1592 and reconstructed in 1609 by King Sonjo and King Kwanghaegun. Next burning was 1623 because of Injo Political Revolt against Kwanghaegun. For more than 300 years Changdeokgung was the site of the royal court.
Now there are 13 buildings in the palace grounds and 28 pavilions in the gardens, occupying 110 acres (450,000 m²) in all. Especially there are the Donhwa-mun (built in 1412, rebuilt in 1607, with a copper bell weighting 9 tons), the Injeong-jeon (main hall), Seongjeong-jeon (auxiliary office in the main hall), Huijeong-dang (the king's private residence, later used as a conference hall), Daejo-jeon (living quaters), Nakseon-jae (former residence of Korean imperial family including Princess Bangja), and Biwon (secret garden).
The surroundings and the palace itself are well matched. Some of the trees behind the palace are now over 300 years old. Changdeokgung was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997.
See also
External links
- [1] (http://www.ocp.go.kr/english/treasure/dom_cdk.html) Cultural Properties Administration