17 replies to this topic

[SNK_1408]

After Joseon Kingdom's main castle were heavily damaged during the war with Japanese; Korean King Gwanghae build smaller version of its administration buildings near Western gate of main Seoul castle.

The castle was originally called Kyeongduk 경덕궁(慶德宮) but changed its name to Kyeonghee 경희궁(慶熙宮) under King Yeongjo in 1760. This castle was used during repair period of main castle, however King Yeongjo used extensively mainly because he's original home were near this west gate.

Sadly, there are only few buildings are left today as Japanese government destroyed most part of the Castles during the occupation. This Castle were once joined with Changkyong castle which is also near this Castle.

The restoration of this castle went ahead during 1988, some of projects have to be called off since many of sites are now part of the city blocks and CBD, including Silla Hotel, Korean government asked Japanese government to return parts of the castle which was removed during 1926 where many of Castle building sections and objects were disassembled and taken to Japan. Now some of them are held at various Japanese temples and castles.

Also during this point, all ancient Korean Kofuns were opened and various cultural items were shipped to Japan. Now all of them have been displayed at Japanese museums.

Here are some pictures:

Overview of the Kyeonghee castle:


Original painting showing the whole buildings of Kyeonghee castle:






















more pictures be posted.

Edited by SNK_1408, 08 January 2009 - 12:58 AM.

[sg_han]

Do you mean palace instread of castle.

Anyway nice picture you have thank you.

SNK, are there much to do and see inside Gyeonghuigung?

[SNK_1408]

You mean 경희궁? I'm sorry sometimes I do have hard time understanding the English title.
경희궁 is not a big palace thanks for correct me on this, I meant by palace not castle.

Anyway, this is one of palace open for public, and it's very close to city as well. Many tourist tend to miss this palace because it's behind the Silla Hotel and many of its buildings are just recently restored so if they would have missed it.

More photos

















Bird eye view of the small palace:

Edited by SNK_1408, 08 January 2009 - 07:27 PM.

[sg_han]

SNK씨, 경희궁에서 재미있는 것이 있어요?

[William O'Chee]

Did the Koeans build actual castles? If so, what did they look like?

[doug]

If you consider the size of Korea, Korea had the most castles and fortresses. During warfare Korea\'s biggest weapons were the castles and fortresses
Korea didn\'t have the eleborate grand Chinese castles, but we sure did have many for the size.
all major towns were walled and just about every mountains had some form of fortifications.
Due to modernizations most were destroyed only the major castle and fortresses\' main gate survive today

Edited by doug, 13 January 2009 - 05:36 AM.

[William O'Chee]

If you consider the size of Korea, Korea had the most castles and fortresses. During warfare Korea\'s biggest weapons were the castles and fortresses
Korea didn\'t have the eleborate grand Chinese castles, but we sure did have many for the size.
all major towns were walled and just about every mountains had some form of fortifications.
Due to modernizations most were destroyed only the major castle and fortresses\' main gate survive today

What was the range in sizes for these fortresses or castles? Were they all controlled by the forces of the king or were they owned by local landlords?

Edited by William O'Chee, 13 January 2009 - 08:02 AM.

[doug]

千里長城 chulli jangsung (koryo jangsung) was the longest wall in Korean records. 里 is about 393meters in Korean standards, Japanese about 4km, Chin(Jin) 576 meters, han 415.8meters, tang 323meters currently China is talking about 500 meters to standardize. So 1000 li is about 393km long. roughly 10th of the Great Wall.

Height and width was 8m 25cm.


But mostly all major cities were encircled by outer wall, castle like fortification on each gate north south east west gate

some cities will have inner walls as well. Most mountain trails had walls too. Mostly Kings will order to build one.

each mayor or the governor will be charge.

undefined

this link lists some of the fortresses in Korea

[SNK_1408]

What was the range in sizes for these fortresses or castles? Were they all controlled by the forces of the king or were they owned by local landlords?

fortresses or castles were stationed on each provincial regions of Korea, each of them had different fortification and design depending on the area. Korean kings only reside within the palaces not the castles.

I don't know if any castles owned by any ruling classes or landlords, this could have been the case during when Koryo's warrior class period over ran the country (1126~1170 & later period of Koryo) and have private armies just like the feudal period of Japan.

千里長城 chulli jangsung (koryo jangsung) was the longest wall in Korean records. 里 is about 393meters in Korean standards, Japanese about 4km, Chin(Jin) 576 meters, han 415.8meters, tang 323meters currently China is talking about 500 meters to standardize. So 1000 li is about 393km long. roughly 10th of the Great Wall.

Height and width was 8m 25cm.


But mostly all major cities were encircled by outer wall, castle like fortification on each gate north south east west gate

some cities will have inner walls as well. Most mountain trails had walls too. Mostly Kings will order to build one.

each mayor or the governor will be charge.

undefined

this link lists some of the fortresses in Korea

correction: 393 km, 576 km, 415.8 km, 323 km & 500 km.
천리장성 (千里長城) have been partially destroyed during Joseon period then totally removed during Japanese occupation in the name of railway & road development. There are only few pockets of walls left in North Korea today.

천리장성
http://en.wikipedia....eolli_Jangseong

Btw, you forgot the Goguryeo wall as well.

This what is left of Koryo wall today:

[sg_han]

SNK씨, 옛 서울에 사대문의 사진이 있어요?

[SNK_1408]

SNK씨, 옛 서울에 사대문의 사진이 있어요?

I don't have time to collect them all.
You can do the search, they all in google search.

Just search for:

숙청문(肅淸門) for Northern gate -> still there

숭례문(崇禮門) for Southern gate -> Now burnt down last year

흥인문(興仁門) for Eastern gate -> famous for open market in Seoul (one of famous gate)

돈의문(敦義門) for Western gate -> re-located due to development, it's still at near the original location.

You can find them all in photos.

It's hard to find photos from before 1900s of these four gates.

[sg_han]

서대문이 있어요??? 정말요? didn't the Japanese destroyed it?

Do you know where I can, by chance, locate pictures of 사대문 before 1900s? Also, can you also post pictures of 사소문?감사합니다!

[SNK_1408]

서대문이 있어요??? 정말요? didn't the Japanese destroyed it?

Do you know where I can, by chance, locate pictures of 사대문 before 1900s? Also, can you also post pictures of 사소문?감사합니다!

I think the wall was there, building was re-constructed but re-located. Just search for 돈의문





sketch

[sg_han]

Can you explain why was 남대문 and 동대문 used regularly especially 남대문 but now 북대문 and 서대문.it has something to do with 풍수 right?

[William O'Chee]

I think the wall was there, building was re-constructed but re-located. Just search for 돈의문





sketch

This bears a lot of resemblances to the gates of the walls in Beijing.