Historic sites you must visit in Seoul

Gyeongbokgung Palace

It was built in 1395 (4th year of King Taejo’s reign) when Gyeongbokgung Palace was founded. It was destroyed during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592 (the 25th year of King Seonjo's reign), and Gwanghwamun was also built with the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1865 (the 2nd year of King Gojong's reign).
During the Japanese colonial period, when the Joseon Government-General building was built in the Heungnyemun area of ​​Gyeongbokgung Palace, it was moved to the north of Geonchunmun Gate, the eastern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was destroyed by bombing during the Korean War and the entire gate tower was lost.

In 1968, the remaining stonework of Gwanghwamun was moved to the front of the Central Office (formerly the Government-General of Korea) and restored. However, the gate tower was restored with concrete rather than wood, and it was moved back from its original position and erected at a wrong angle.

In the 1990s, the Gyeongbokgung Palace restoration project began in earnest. As part of historical correction, the Joseon Government-General building was demolished in 1996, and the damaged buildings of Gyeongbokgung Palace were restored. Gwanghwamun, built of concrete, was demolished in 2006, and in 2010, Gwanghwamun was restored to its original location as it was when it was rebuilt during the reign of King Gojong.

In 2023, the Woldae of Gwanghwamun, which had been damaged during the installation of tram tracks during the Japanese colonial period, was restored and opened to the public.

 

Bosingak

Bosingak is a traditional two-story Hanok pavilion located in Gwancheol-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. It was made to hang Bosingakjong and has a structure of 5 compartments on the front and 4 compartments on the sides. It was founded in 1396 (the 5th year of King Taejo of the Joseon Dynasty), and rebuilt in 1869 (the 6th year of King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty) in August 1979. It was designated as Seoul Metropolitan Government Monument No. 10 on November 10, 1997 under the name Bosingak Site.

 

The New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony, in which the Bosingakjong is struck 33 times at 12 p.m. on January 1st of the solar calendar every year, is the most representative New Year's event in Korea. It is also famous for the large number of citizens who gather in front of Bosingak every year when the New Year's bell ringing ceremony is held. The New Year's Eve bell-ringing event is regularly attended by the Mayor of Seoul, the Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner, and the Jongno-gu Mayor, and 11 citizen representatives representing various fields recommended through the Seoul Metropolitan Government website participate. In addition to the night of December 31st, Bosingak's bell is tolled at 12 noon on national holidays such as Liberation Day on August 15th and Independence Day on March 1st.

Gwanghwamun

Gwanghwamun is the main gate on the south side of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty in Jongno-gu, Seoul. It means “the great virtue of the king illuminates the entire country.” It was built in 1395 and has a two-story pavilion structure. Of the three gates you must pass through to get to Geunjeongjeon, the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, this is the first gate you face, the second is Heungnyemun, and the third is Geunjeongmun.

Today, Gwanghwamun remains as a representative building that symbolizes Korea beyond Seoul. Yukjo Street in front of Gwanghwamun went through the Japanese colonial period and economic growth after liberation, and the largest road called Sejong-ro was built and functioned as an important transportation route. Later, Gwanghwamun Square was created and established as a representative gathering and relaxation space in downtown Seoul.