Changdeokgung

Changdeokgung (Palace of shining virtue) is one of five surviving royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty in the South Korean capital Seoul.

History

Changdeokgung was 1405-1412 as the second next to the palace Gyeongbokgung ( Palace of Shining Happiness ), the actual main residence of the Joseon Dynasty, built by the king " Taejong ". There he lies to the east of Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung was also called Dongwol ( East Palace ). Until he was in 1592 set in the Hideyoshi invasion of Japanese martial fire and first built 19 years later on 15 King Kwan Naegum again. After the re- establishment of which he served in 1872 as a royal residence and seat of government. From 1907 lived in Korea Changdeokgung last king, King Sunjong. Even after his retirement in 1910 and his death in 1926 lived here the last members of the royal family until 1989. Pending the term of office of the penultimate King 13 ruler in the palace should have been resident.

Between 1910 and 1945, when Korea was a province of Japan, was the Japanese language as the national language. The Hanja and Kanji of the Palace name (Japanese昌 徳 宫) were therefore very Japanese, and he was at this time Shōtokyū.

In 1997 the palace was added to the list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Architecture

Changdeokgung consists of three areas: the management area, the living area and the rear garden.

For administrative area includes the main gate Donhwamun, the stone bridge Geumcheongyo, the audience hall Injeongjeon, and Seonjeongjeon the office of the king.

The living area includes Huijeongdang, the private rooms of the king, Daejojeon the private apartments of the Queen and Nakseonjae, the last residence of the royal family.

However, the main attraction of Changdeokgung is the rear ( Huwon ) and Secret Garden ( Biwon ). He is approximately 32 ha in size and fits harmoniously in the hilly terrain. It is home to numerous pavilions, lotus ponds and countless trees, some of which are now over 300 years old.

More information

At first, in the history was only allowed to the head and members of the royal family pass through the gate and put his foot in his "Secret Garden ". Since then, the palace is no longer a royal residence since 1872 and was due to be renewed in 1907, the entire world population is allowed to enter the mysterious plot, and even visit " The Hall of radiant government," as well as the imaginative and extensive garden areas that could previously only enter the ruler.

Sources and Literature

• Friedemann Needed: 1000 Wonders of the World. The treasures of humanity in five continents. Naumann & Göbel, Cologne 2000, ISBN 3-625-10560-8.