Korea Travel Seoul - Deoksugung Palace 大汉门 (德壽宮 덕수궁)

 Korea Travel Seoul - Deoksugung Palace 大汉门  (德壽宮 덕수궁) (2015 0417)

Address: 99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 중구 세종대로 99

Open: 0900-2100 Hours

Direction

Gwanghwamun • 9 min walk

Euljiro 1-ga • 9 min walk

Subway Line 1 City Hall Subway Station, exit 2. Walk straight to the palace entrance.

Subway Line 2 to City Hall Station (Exit 12).

 

Changing Of The Royal Guards Ceremony: 11:00am, 2:00pm, 3:30pm

View from Top

Jeongdong Observatory & Cafe Darak - Seoul City Hall Seosomun.

Cafe Darak: 13th floor, 15 Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 덕수궁길 15 (서소문동) 서울시 서소문청사 1동 13층) Cafe Hours: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm

Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but a residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn't until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal family after their home was burned down during the Imjin War. King Seonjo also stayed at Deoksugung Palace after returning to the city. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575-1641) ascended to the throne and gave this royal residence the name Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. Over the following decades, the palace alternated between being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name did not change officially to Deoksugung Palace, meaning the “palace of virtuous longevity,” until 1907. While the palace once encompassed a vast area with many buildings, the current palace grounds are just a small shadow of the prior splendor, with very few structures remaining.

Daehanmun Gate 大汉门

Junghwajeon Hall & Junghwamun Gate 咸宁殿

Which was the main throne hall of the palace build in 1902, Junghwamun Gate is the main entrance to the main hall.

Junghwamun Gate 中和门, 中和殿

Junghwamun Gate is the inner gate of Deoksugung and the main gate of Junghwajeon Hall. The gate, along with Junghwajeon, were rebuilt in 1906 after being destroyed by a fire making it one of the last structures built during the Joseon Dynasty.

Deokhongjeon Hall, 德弘殿

Jeonggwanheon Pavilion

Which was used as a banquet hall for foreign visitors. The building was constructed in 1900 by A.I. Sabatin, a Russian architect.

Junmyeongdang Hall 凌明堂

Junmyeongdang Hall was where King Gojong handled palace and state affairs during his reign. He also welcomed honored guests and foreign officials here. The original structure, along with Jeukjodang, was destroyed by fire in 1904. The hall was rebuilt later that same year.

Gwangmyeongmun Gate 光明門

Gwangmyeongmun Gate was once the south gate at Deoksugung Palace. It contains a water clock, a hanging bronze bell from 1462, and a rocket cannon. The gate, which resembles a pavilion once led to Hamnyeongjeon Hall, where the king resided.

Seokjojeon Hall

Which was built in 1910, It is 19th century neoclassical in style and features some long colonnades and a triangular roof used to have a reception hall, dining hall, bedrooms and a study for the imperial family. Now a National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung