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Changdeokgung |
| Located
in Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea,
Changdeokgung Palace, was built during the
Joseon kingdom(1395∼1910), has more buildings
preserved than any other palace from that
period. The palace is designated as Historical
Site No. 122, and it covers a total area of
580,000 square meters, although the main palace
grounds which do not include the Secret Gardens
cover an area of 120,000 square meters. |
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The
capital of the Joseon kingdom was moved from Gaeseong
in the north to Hanyang(today's Seoul) in 1392, but construction
on the palace actually began in October of 1404 during
the 4th year of the reign of King Taejong Construction
of the main building Jeongjeon began in February of 1405
and was completed in October of the same year
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From
then on, the palace was called Changdeokgung or
"Palace of Prospering Virtue." Since the
palace was east of the existing palace, Gyeongbokgung,
it was often referred to as the "East Palace.
The current palace grounds are somewhat larger than
the original grounds, since succeeding kings often
had additions made during the palace's long history,
and Changdeokgung palace was a favorite place of
the kings during the dynasty. Although Gyeongbokgung
Palace was in fact larger, Changdeokgung was a favorite
of the kings because it was the most purely Korean
of all the palaces. |
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Gyeongbokgung
Palace was built on level ground and served the official
functions of a palace. It was built according to planning
and specifications for an official residence to meet the
requirements of the capital city. Changdeokgung Palace,
however, was designed and built according to more Korean
specifications handed down from the Three Kingdoms Period,
and consequently retained much more that was uniquely
Korean.
After the Japanese Occupation which began in 1910 however,
parts of the palace grounds were rearranged, partially
destroyed, and even taken to Japan. As with the other
palaces, Changdeokgung Palace also had many of its auxiliary
buildings removed, and in general the grounds lost much
of their authenticity. Changdeokgung Palace was ideally
located, however: to the east was Changgyeonggung Palace,
to the southeast was Jongmyo (site of the royal family's
ancestral tablets and memorial shrines), and to the west
was official residence,Gyeongbokgung Palace.
The main structures of Changdeokgung Palace include the
gate, Donhwamun, the beautiful granite bridge Geumcheongyo,
and the Injeongjeon which served for official state functions.
The Seonjeongjeon was used for affairs of state between
the king and his ministers. The Daejojeon served as the
queen's guarders as well as the king's sleeping quarters,
and as educational quarters for the princes. The original
quarters were destroyed on several occasions, and during
the Japanese Occupation the existing quarters became somewhat
westernized. The current quarters are a combination of
both Korean and western styles.
Other major buildings on the palace grounds included Hamwonjeon,
Gyeonghungak, Gajeongdang, Eochago, Naeuiwon and Seongjeonggak,
the Gwanmulhon, the old Seonwonjeon, Nakseonje, Chwiwunjeong,
Hanjeongdang, Sangnyangjeong, Manwolmun, Sunghwaru, Samsamwa,
and Chilbunso.
A particularly distinctive feature of Changdeokgung Palace
is the fact that it was built with minimum effect on the
natural environment and designed to harmonize with nature
as completely as possible. Buildings were designed and
constructed to blend easily with the immediate surroundings
and even directions were given careful consideration in
planning and building. Space was utilized to provide distinctly
different atmospheres throughout the grounds. Also, careful
consideration was given to provide continuous yet different
views from each site on the grounds.
At the same time, however, the grounds retained a great
deal of privacy for palace life, as evidenced by the small
number of entrances. But there is a large number of artifacts
which have been preserved to inform us of life in the
inner world of the palace. And even today, Changdeokgung
Palace remains the most Korean of all palaces. |
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at Haeinsa
Temple
