Sungnyemun Gate, Seoul

The main gate of the wall around the Joseon capital. It stands on the south side, which is why it is also called Namdaemun, the Great South Gate, and it is the oldest wooden building left in Seoul. Work began in 1396, the fifth year of King Taejo, and finished in 1398. It was rebuilt in 1448 under King Sejong, and when it was taken apart for repair between 1961 and 1963 it emerged that major work had also been done in 1479. On 10 February 2008 an arsonist destroyed the upper storey of the pavilion and part of the roof below it; the restoration took five years and two months, and the gate reopened to the public on 4 May 2013. A rainbow arch is set in the middle of a high stone base, and above it stands a pavilion of two storeys, five bays wide and two deep. Seen from the front the roof takes a trapezoidal form, the type called ujingak. The bracket sets that carry the eaves sit not only on the columns but between them — the multi-bracket style — and their shallow curve and solid joinery are characteristic of early Joseon. According to the Jibong yuseol, the calligraphy on the name board was written by Prince Yangnyeong.

AI Translation

Visiting

Opening hours

09:00-18:00 (Last admission 17:50)

Closed

Mondays

Information

+82-2-779-8547

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Jung-gu, Seoul

Designation

National Treasure · 국보