Seogwoldoan (서궐도안), the landscape painting of Gyeonghuigung
Construction began in the 1600s during the reign of King Gwanghaegun. In the latter Joseon period, Gyeonghuigung served as the secondary palace for the king, and as it was situated on the west side of Seoul, it was also called Seo-gwol (西闕, a palace of the west). The secondary palace is usually the palace where the King moves to in times of emergency.[citation needed]
From King Injo to King Cheoljong, about ten kings of Joseon dynasty stayed here at Gyeonghuigung. This palace was built using the slanted geography of the surrounding mountain, has traditional beauty in its architecture and a lot of historical significance.[citation needed] For a time, it was of a considerable size, even to the point of having an arched bridge connecting it to Deoksugung palace. For the king's royal audience, there were the Sungjeongjeon and Jajeongjeon buildings, and for sleeping, Yungbokjeon and Hoesangjeon buildings.[citation needed]
Most of Gyeonghuigung was lost to two fires that broke out in the 19th century, during the reigns of King Sunjo and King Gojong.[2] The Japanese dismantled what remained of the palace during their occupation of the Korean peninsula, and a school for Japanese citizens was built on the site. Two major structures of the former palace — the Sungjeongjeon throne hall and the Heunghwamun gate — were disassembled and moved to other parts of Seoul. Reconstruction started in the 1990s as part of the South Korean government's initiative to rebuild the "Five Grand Palaces" that were heavily destroyed by the Japanese. However, due to urban growth and decades of neglect, the government was only able to reconstruct around 33% of the former Palace.[3]
Architecture
Heunghwamun
Heunghwamun (흥화문; 興化門) is the main entrance door to the palace.[4]
The entrance was built in 1616, but it was briefly moved to be an entrance for the Bakmunsa Temple [ko] after the destruction of the palace, and later used as a main entrance for the Silla Hotel of Jangchung-dong until it was finally restored to its original purpose.[4] Heunghwamun is designated as Municipal Treasure 19.
Geuncheongyo
Geuncheongyo (금천교; 禁川橋) is a bridge at the route passed through the Heunghwamun. It was built in 1619, but was buried into soil during Japanese rule until it was restored in 2001.
Sungjeongjeon
Sungjeongjeon (숭정전; 崇政殿) is the main hall of the palace. It was built in 1616 but was moved to Dongguk University in 1926 and repurposed as a buddhist temple in Japanese colonial times, and moved back to original location and renovated between 1988 and 1994. Its considered an example of mid-joseon period architecture.[5] Sungjeongjeon is designated as Municipal Treasure 20.
Jajeongjeon
Jajeongjeon (자정전; 資政殿) is a hall restored following depictions in Seogwoldoan [ko].
Taenyeongjeon
Taenyeongjeon (태령전; 泰寧殿) is a hall restored following depictions in Seogwoldoan.
