Geunjeongmun Gate and Corridor of Gyeongbokgung Palace

Geunjeongmun is the south gate of Geunjeongjeon Hall, the central building of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and is flanked on either side by corridors. It was built together with Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1395, the fourth year of King Taejo of Joseon, but was burnt down during the Japanese invasions of 1592. The present building was newly constructed in 1867, the fourth year of Emperor Gojong, when Gyeongbokgung Palace was rebuilt. Geunjeongmun is a two-storey structure with three bays across the front and two bays along the side; its roof is a hip roof, trapezoidal in shape when viewed from the front. The decorative bracket sets built to support the eaves are found not only above the pillars but also between them, a style called dapo; the sharply pointed, boldly curving forms of the members projecting outward reflect the general technique of the late Joseon period. The corridors enclose Geunjeongjeon Hall in a rectangle, their style and structure simply composed. Where the south corridor connects stand Ilhwamun Gate and Wolhwamun Gate, and to the north is Sajeongmun Gate, which links to Sajeongjeon Hall. To the east and west stand the projecting Yungmullu and Yungmuru pavilions. The windows set into the walls are distinctive in having their square corners cut off diagonally. Geunjeongmun is the only surviving south gate of a main hall among Joseon-period palaces to have been built as a two-storey structure, befitting the dignity of the principal palace, and it is a valuable resource for the study of palace architecture.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jongno-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물