Capturing harmony of East and West at Deoksugung Palace
스크롤 이동 상태바
Capturing harmony of East and West at Deoksugung Palace
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Ko Eun-mee & Hur Eun-bi
입력 2009.05.04 21:37
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On a warm day in spring, when the flowers already blossomed and the air is fragrant with their scents, visitingDeoksugungPalace would be advisable.DeoksugungPalace is 20 minutes away from Ewha, located near City Hall station.
Junghwajeon & Seokjo Hall
As visitors walk along the road that opens from the main gate ofDeoksugungPalace , they will find Junghwajeon on their right, which is the main hall of the palace. Emperor Gojong of the late Joseon and Daehan Empire conducted state affairs there.
DeoksugungPalace displays a great balance of eastern and western architecture. Designed by G.H. Harding, a Briton, Seokjo Hall is a western styled building used by Emperor Gojong. It was built in a neoclassical style, making a great harmony with the fountain placed in front of Seokjo Hall. Placing a fountain in front was also a new idea at that time since traditional Korean gardens used to be located to the rear of a building.
Walking route around the wall of Deoksugung palace
After looking around the palace, coming out of the main gate and turning on the right side, you may find an old path along the palace’s wall. This is a popular course for couples.
ChungDongChurch
Continuing past the wall, one can find a Gothic-styled church built in in 1897. The church played an important role as a meeting point for the independent patriots during the Japanese colonial period. As one of the 33 national representatives, Pastor Lee Phil-ju andPreacherPark Dong-wan signed the declaration of the March 1 Independence Movement in 1919. The church is the National Historic Sites No. 256.