DEOKSUGUNG PALACE

This palace, the smallest of the royal palaces in Seoul, is well worth a visit for its few buildings still intact, its interesting Royal Museum and its small garden. It was built in the 15th century but in the following century, the Japanese razed Seoul and most of its royal palaces, with the exception of this one.

The main gate, Daehanmun, and the surrounding wall were moved backwards to allow traffic on the large Sejong-ro avenue. This gate was once located in the south wall, respecting the traditional orientation of the north-south palaces. After the small Junghwamun gate appears the hall of the throne Junghwajeon (hall of central harmony), where the coronations took place. Behind the latter, some buildings including the magnificent Seogeodang, the only remaining two-storey royal building in Joseon. Behind on the right is a group of buildings, including the Deokhongjeon where the king settled the kingdom's affairs, and the Hamnyeongjeon in L where he resided. Gojong died in this place. In the background, separated from the rest of the complex, is a small Western-style building with a metal structure, the Jungmyeongjeon: the king used to have tea and organize his receptions in what is the oldest Western building in a Korean palace. The back of the park, a European-style garden with a fountain, faces south towards Gwangmyeongmun, a doorway under which a bell melted in 1462 and a water clock dating back to 1536 are preserved. To the north, a large building in European neo-classical style, the Seokjojeon. Built to the plans of an English architect in 1909, it is the first large western hall in a Korean palace. It was used as a royal residence, then at the end of the war it was used for US-USSR meetings. In 1992, it housed in its annex wing the very interesting Royal Museum, which holds pieces of furniture, costumes, musical instruments and other regalia (open from 9am to 6.30pm, entrance included in the entrance ticket to the palace). Those who are interested in the life of the kings of Joseon should visit this small and rich museum, but unfortunately not very well explained in English. The main wing of this western building houses the National Academy of the Korean Language and the Deoksu Palace Art Museum, a branch of the National Museum of Contemporary Art. It presents contemporary Korean contemporary art works covering a period from the late 19th century to the 1960s and in recent years, temporary exhibitions of high quality.