Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon (창덕궁과 후원)

  Changdeokgung Palace is the only palace that preserves the architectural style of the Joseon Dynasty.

It was originally constructed in 1405 as a detached palace after Gyeongbokgung Palace was constructed.

However, since King Seongjong's time of the Joseon Dynasty it was used as the main palace. It is one of Seoul’s most frequently visited sites.

This palace was burnt down during the Japanese invasion of 1592 and was rebuilt in 1611 during the reign of Gwanghaegun.

Geumcheon Bridge appears from the right. Constructed during the 11th year of King Tae-Jong’s (1411) reign, this stone bridge is the oldest of it’s kind that remains in Seoul.

At the entrance of Injeongjeon (the royal audience chamber) there are nine statues, each on the eves of Injeongjeon. These statues prevent evil spirits from entering. Behind the right door of Injeongjeon, there is the king’s official chamber called Seonjeongjeon. Blue tiles were used only for the palace, which gives an explanation for the blue tiles of the Presidential Residence of Korea.

Huwon is considered as the best representative garden of Korea’s distinct natural beauty.

Huwon was used by the king and royal family during the Joseon Dynasty as a place for relaxation. It features many ponds,pavilions and wooded areas containing thousand-year-old trees.

The garden has been called various names. The most well-known is Huwon, which literally means " rear garden," because the main buildings of Changdeokgung, as the seat of rule and residence of the king, were located to the rear north of the palace compound. It was also called Geumwon, meaning "forbidden garden," because it was located in the deepest recesses of the palace, inacesessible to the publc.

What distinguishes Changdeokgung from the other royal palaces of Joseon is its spatial arrangement which harmonizes the man-made and the natural. That is, the palace buildings are beautifully harmonized with their natural setting of moutains and valleys. It is something so unique and uniquely Korean in this aspect that a comparison is hard to find in neighboring countries such as Japan and China.

Changdeokgung Palace is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

Source:

www.visitkorea.or.kr

www.palace.or.kr

www.tour2korea.com

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