Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion, Suwon

Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion was built in 1794, the eighteenth year of King Jeongjo of Joseon. As the north-eastern corner pavilion (gangnu, a watchtower set on a fortress wall) of Hwaseong Fortress, it was designed for wartime use, yet stone, timber and brick were combined appropriately in consideration of its function as a pavilion as well. The name Banghwasuryujeong, in Suwon, was taken from a poem by the Song-dynasty scholar Cheng Hao (styled Mingdao): "Clouds are faint and the breeze light as noon draws near; visiting the flowers and following the willows, I cross the stream ahead." The name plaque bears the calligraphy of Jo Yun-hyeong (1725–1799). In plan the building is basically L-shaped, with the north and east sides projecting outward in a convex form so that the surroundings could be observed in every direction. It was rebuilt in 1848, the fourteenth year of King Heonjong of Joseon, and has undergone several partial repairs since the Japanese colonial period. While faithfully serving its military purpose of surveillance and command over the surrounding area, it also harmonises with the landscape, well illustrating the character of Joseon-period pavilion architecture. Its distinctive floor plan and unusual roof form, unlike any other pavilion, make it valuable evidence of the outstanding architectural technology of the eighteenth century.

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Where it is

Region

Suwon, Gyeonggi

Designation

Treasure · 보물