Changdeokgung Palace – Seoul, South Korea
Changdeokgung Palace is set within a large park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea and it is one of the “Five Grand Palaces” built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty.
Changdeokgung was constructed in 1405 as the secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung, the main palace. This palace is not just a single building, it is an immense complex filled with courts, halls, bridges, pavilions, and secret gardens.
Sadly, all of the palace buildings were destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion in 1592. Changdeokgung was restored shortly after in 1610 and served as the main palace for 270 years until Gyeongbokgung was finally reconstructed in 1868.
It’s a shame that most of the South Korea’s palaces were destroyed during the Japanese occupation between 1910 and 1945. Again?! What is it with Japan destroying South Korea’s heritage? Currently, only 30% of the Palace structures remain. What is left today is relatively well preserved and is representative of the vernacular palace architecture of South Korea.
This palace complex was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 thanks to its outstanding architecture and its harmonious relation with the natural landscape.
The literal meaning of Changdeokgung is “Palace of Prospering Virtue“.
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[...] is one of the “Five Grand Palaces” built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. Changdeokgung was constructed in 1405 as the secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung, the main palace. This palace is [...]