Unhyeongung (), also known as Unhyeongung Royal Residence, is a former

Korea Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...

n royal residence located at 114-10 Unni-dong,

Jongno-gu upright=1, Bosingak bell pavilion Jongno District () is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea. It is the historic center of Seoul that contains Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, and the Blue House, the for ...

Seoul Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital city, capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's List of cities b ...

. It was formerly the residence of the

Heungseon Daewongun Heungseon Daewongun (; 24 January 1821 – 22 February 1898) was the title of Yi Ha-eung, the regent of Joseon during the minority of Emperor Gojong in the 1860s. Until his death, he was a key political figure of late Joseon Korea. He was also ca ...

prince regent A prince regent or princess regent is a prince or princess who, due to their position in the line of succession, rules a monarchy as regent in the stead of a monarch, e.g., as a result of the sovereign's incapacity (minority or illness) or ab ...

of Korea during the

Joseon Joseon ( ; ; also romanized as ''Chosun''), officially Great Joseon (), was a dynastic kingdom of Korea that existed for 505 years. It was founded by Taejo of Joseon in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. The kingdom w ...

period in the 19th century, and father of

Emperor Gojong Gojong (; 8 September 1852 – 21 January 1919), personal name Yi Myeongbok (), later Yi Hui (), also known as the Gwangmu Emperor (), was the penultimate List of monarchs of Korea, Korean monarch. He ruled Korea for 43 years, from 1864 to 19 ...

. Gojong himself also lived in this residence until age 12 when he assumed the throne. It is currently a museum and is open to the public free of charge.

History

The site dates from the 14th century. Early buildings were damaged or destroyed during the

Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598) The Imjin War () was a series of two Japanese invasions of Korea: an initial invasion in 1592 also individually called the "Imjin War", a brief truce in 1596, and a second invasion in 1597 called the Chŏngyu War (). The conflict ended in 159 ...

, but some of the early construction remains. Under the direction of Queen Mother Jo, Unhyeongung was converted into a grander complex with four gates. Although the residential complex was taken from the

's descendants under Japanese colonial rule, it was returned in 1948, and in 1993 they sold it to the Seoul government. It subsequently underwent three years of renovations to restore it to its earlier appearance. Today's complex is smaller than its previous extent, as

Duksung Women's University Duksung Women's University (DSWU; ) is a private university in Seoul, South Korea, founded in 1920. It's campus is located in Dobong District, Seoul Metropolitan Government, and a lifelong graduate school and a corporation are located in Jongno ...

now occupies part of its grounds, as well as other smaller businesses including Unhyeon Kindergarten and Byeolhadang hanok guesthouse.

Structures

Some of the interiors have been refurnished, and contain mannequins dressed in typical clothing styles for various stations of life in Korean history. The complex also contains a small museum. The residence is open to the public，free of charge.

Norakdang Hall

Norakdang is the largest building within the complex and is the site of wedding of King Gojong and Empress Myeongseong. Norakdang also was as one of the two residence buildings for women. The most notable structure inside Norakdang is the kitchen, which was most likely used for food preparation when hosting important events. The hall held many important events such as birthday parties and related ceremonies. A reenactment of a traditional wedding ceremony continues to be held at Norakdang. Korea-Seoul-Unhyeongung 1291-06

Noandang Hall

Noandang was where the Heungseon Daewongun received his guests and also served as the leisure quarters for the men. The hall was not just a place of leisure and entertainment. The Heungseon Daewongun, as the father of a young Emperor, carried out all his business from Noandang.

Irodang Hall

Irodang is one of two woman's residences on the residence complex.

Sujiksa

Sujiksa is a small row of rooms to the right from the entrance. These rooms provided housing for the servants and guards.

Royal wedding ceremony

Unhyeongung is the site for the last Royal wedding ceremony, a reenactment of King Gojong and Empress Myeongseong's wedding that took place on the grounds of Unhyeongung on March 21, 1866. This reenactment takes place in the spring and fall of every year. This ceremony is an exact reenactment, based on thorough historical research and consultation by the palace’s counsel panel, of the regal and grandeur style of the imperial family's royal wedding ceremony. This reenactment offers visitors an opportunity to experience the spectacular and elegant traditional royal costumes and lifestyles of the Joseon dynasty.

Gallery

File:Korea-Seoul-Unhyeongung 1299-06.JPG, File:Interior 1, Unhyeongung - Seoul, Korea.JPG, File:Korea-Seoul-Royal wedding ceremony 1361-06.JPG, Royal wedding ceremony reenactment File:Korea-Seoul-Royal wedding ceremony 1333-06.JPG, Royal wedding ceremony reenactment File:Korea-Seoul-Royal wedding ceremony 1348-06.JPG, Royal wedding ceremony reenactment

References

Bibliography

External links

* * {{Coord, 37.5761219, 126.9872332, scale:75000_region:KR_type:landmark, display=title Buildings and structures in Jongno District Royal residences in South Korea Palaces in Seoul Tourist attractions in Seoul Historic buildings and structures in Seoul Historic Sites of South Korea Palaces of Joseon