Toksugun Palace(덕수궁): history and uniqueness

Many know that in Seoul there are five royal palaces where once the kings of Korea and their families lived. With the largest of five - the palace of radiant happiness Gyeongbokgung (경복궁) , I have already introduced you. Allow me to take you inside the Toxugun Palace (덕수궁), which is not so large (only 67 thousand square meters), like Gyeongbokgung, but with its own flavor.

The palace is located in the heart of Seoul on the street of the city hall. The entrance to it costs only 1 dollar. But if you dress up in the Korean national dress Hanbok, then you can go to the palace free . The palace can be visited on any day, except Monday, from 9 am to 8 pm.

This is the only royal palace in Seoul, which has modern buildings.

In translation from the Korean language, Toksuung is The Palace of Virtue and Longevity. Unlike others, this palace was originally built for Prince Wolsan (월상), who was the elder brother of the then King of the Joseon Dynasty, King Songchio (선조왕 ). In 1592, when the Imjin war broke out (Japanese annex), the king and his family were forced to leave Seoul. For 1.5 years, they were hiding in the area of ​​Yizhu (the territory of modern North Korea). When they returned to the capital, all the royal palaces were burned, so the royal family was forced to settle in Toksugun Palace.

After the death of King Songjo in 1608, the palace was crowned Kwanghegong (광해군), which renamed the palace in Köngungong (경운궁) .

In 1618, the reconstruction of the Changyonkun Palace ended, where the royal family moved. And the Toksugun Palace was empty for the next 270 years.

In 1895, a tragedy occurred in Korea. Japanese mercenaries killed the queen Myongsong Hwanghwu (명성 황후) and King Gojong (고종왕) appealed to the Russian services asking for shelter from the Japanese troops. Formed alnies with Russian troops against the Japanese invaders.

A year later, the king returned to Seoul and settled in the Toksugun Palace. He gave a new name to the country - Tehan Zheguk (대한 제국) </ strong>, which means Korean Empire </ strong>. And Kozhong himself became the first emperor of the Korean Empire. Many sources say that the coronation of the emperor was grandiose, thus king Emperor Gojong wanted to show the world that Korea is now independent.

Of course, the Japanese were not happy about this event, so during the next war with Korea they partially burned the place where the ceremony of the coronation of Kojo was held, and the "Joseon Railway Hotel" was erected on that place.

King Gojong sent a message to The Hague, with the hope of receiving help. The Japanese forced him to abdicate, the Toksugun Palace was completely destroyed, and the country was completely occupied by Japanese troops.

Let's go through the palace and get to know it better.

The main gate of the palace Tehannmun (대한문) originally had the name Tengmun(댄문).

They were burned in 1904 and rebuilt in 1906. Taehanmun translated from Korean means Gateway to Heaven . The modern inscription on the gate was written by the mayor of Nam Chon Chol (남정철).

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After walking a little further along the alley, on the right we will see another gate Chunghwamun (중화문) </ strong>, which lead us to the throne room, which on the map is depicted at number 3 . The throne room of Chungwacheon (중화전) is the national treasure No. 819. On the ceiling of the throne room is depicted a golden dragon, which served as a symbol of the king.

Behind the throne room are the pavilions Tchokchodang (즉 조당) and Chungmendang (준 명당) (number 4). In the first pavilion, palace festivals were held, and also the coronation of Kwanghaegun and Injuo kings took place. But the second pavilion served as a kindergarten for the daughter of King Gojong - Princess Tokhae.

Number 5 on the map is Royal Soghonang (석어당) . This is the only preserved multi-level building in the palace, executed in a low-key style. And it's not with the simple. King Songchio did not want to add bright colors, thus preserving the memory of the tragedy that struck the country in those years.

Pavilion (정관현) served as a venue for tea ceremonies. The pavilion was designed by the Russian architect Afanasy Seredin-Sabatin. The pavilion combines two styles: traditional Korean and European.

But the three-story building Sogchozhon (석조전) is already a creation of the European style. The British architect Harding was engaged in designing the building. The construction was completed in 1910. Emperor Gojong sought to give the country a more modern look. It was one of the first stone buildings in Korea. On the first floor, servants lived, on the floor above there was the emperor's study, and on the last floor - the imperial chambers. When the emperor died in 1919, the Japanese invaders turned the building into a greenhouse, thereby belittling the power of the emperor. Today in the left wing of Sogchojong is the Gallery of Modern Art, and in the right wing there is the Museum of the Korean Empire, on which we will make a short walk next time.

If you visit the museum at 11:00, 14:00 or 15:30, you can witness the presentation of changing the guard.

Quarter of the changing of the guard The modern territory of the Toksugun Palace is 3 times smaller than the one that was before the Japanese annexation. Here there were times more buildings and structures. But this does not diminish the significance of the palace in the history of Korea, because it is the first palace of the Korean Empire.

More info you can find on Official webpage.

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@irisworld

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