Here is a little history of Gyeongbokgung Palace we visited over the weekend...

Gyeongbokgung, which means Palace Greatly Blessed by Heavan, was built in 1395, three years after the founding of the Joseon Dynasty by Yi Seong-gye, the new main palace, Gyeongbokgung, was completed and the capital of the new dynasty was moved from Gaesong to Seoul (then known as Hanyang). The palace was destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasions of 1592 and was not reconstructed until 1868, the fifth year of King Gojong. During the Japanese occupation, most of the palace was torn down; only a few buildings including Gyeoghoeru Pavilion and Guenjeongieon Hall were left standing. An effort to fully restore Gyeongbokgung to its former glory had been ongoing since 1990. The colonial Government-General building was removed, making way for the full restoration of Heugryemun Gate to its original state. The royal quarters and the East Palace for the crown prince were also restored to their original state. The first phase of the Gyeongbokgung restoration project is scheduled to be completed by 2009, by which time 40% of all the original structures will have been restored.

Main Gate and Palace Wall

The palace is surrounded by five-meter-high walls that extend over 1,933 meters. There are four gates that symbolize certain elements

North - Sinmumun - Winter and Water
South - Gwanghwamun (Also the Main Gate) - Summer and Fire
East - Geonchunmun - Spring and Wood
West - Yeongchmun - Autumn and Metal

They originate from the yin and yang concept and the theory of the 5 elements.
Geunjeongjeon is the main throne hall of Gyeongbokgung. The name means that all affairs will be properly managed if you demonstrate diligence. The kings affairs of state, including meetings, receptions with foreign envoys, and most importantly, the coronation ceremony, were all conducted here.

Hyangwonjeong and Geoncheonggung

King Gojong's palace within a palace

In the rear garden of the concubine's quarters is a square pond, in the center of which lies an islet. There are seperate living quarters for the king and queen, as well as a study. On October 8th (my future birthday) 1895 Japanese assassins broke into Geoncheonggung and stabbed Empress Myeongseong to death, they burned her body in the hillside to the east.

Jobikjae and Vicinity

Harmony of Qing Chinese and traditional Korean styles

Because Gyeongbokgung suffured heavy fire damage in 1876 Gojong moved here temporarily. This place was also used as a library and reception hall for foreign envoys. Jibokjae (right), from the outside it looks like a one story building, inside its two. Parujeong (left) is an octagonal, two-story pavilion with columns decorated in the Qing Chinese style.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion

The Apex of Architectural Beauty

Here, the king threw lavish banquets and received foreign envoys. After boating on the surrounding man-made pond, and think and his party went up to Gyeonghoeru to enjoy a sweeping view of the palace and Mount Inwangsan. Originally a small pavilion, it was greatly expanded in 1412 under King Taejong. The pavilion was burned down during the Japanese invasion of 1592 but rebuilt in 1867 as a wooden, two-story structure with a floor area of 931 square meters.
All of the above information came from a little tourist guide. I know a lot of the names are hard to keep track of, I tried to dial down the info to make it as easy as possible to read. I hope whoever actually finished this got something out of it. It was an amazing place to visit and I look forward to going back.

Thanks for reading all my info, and you can find more photos at www.samanthastark.com

Until Next Time...

-Sam-