Unhyeongung(Unhyeongung Palace)-the Last Palace-

In late 19th century, the period that the European had tried to invade Asia, Korea faced the choice whether trade or not.

King Gojong was the king of that period, but had not political power because he was too young.

Therefore, ‘Heungseon Daewongun’, his father (but was not the king of Joseon) was the actual influence.

King Gojing

Unhyungung was the place where ‘Heungseon Daewongun’ had lived in, and King Gojong had married his wife, MyeongseongHwangHoo.

(the position of this palace was strongly related to ‘Heungseon Daewongun’.)

 So, it has been considered as a ‘palace’ recently than other palaces.

It had been wide, but after ‘Heungseon Daewongun’’s death, it was hard to maintain the whole area,

so his descendents sold some of the area, and eventually hand over to the Seoul administration.

 Now, it is considered as a kind of museum of Korean traditional houses.

Map of Unhyungung

 

 

‘Noandang’-cozy life as old-

 

 

 

 

Noandang

 

 It is the main place of Unhyungung, in which ‘Heungseon Daewongun’ slept.

Noandang

 You can easily notice that it was the most important part of Unhyungung by its high stylobate and three-step stairs.

Noandang

Looking inside the palace, you can find some figures dressed in ‘Han Bok’, Korean traditional clothing.

  ‘Irodang’-the living place of the two olds-

Irodang

 ‘Irodang’ was a place for ‘Heungseon Daewongun’’s wife.

inside Irodang;hard to be seen from outside

This place is encapsulated, so it cannot be seen to a person outside.

This structure was affected from Confucianism, which separate women from outside to protect or regulate them.

behind Irodang

looking behind Irodang, you will see the garden. Most palaces in Korea have similar garden with this.

 ‘Norakdang’ -enjoying it as old- 

 

 

 

Norakdang

 

 ‘Norakdang’ is the most famous part of Unhyungung because King Gojong married his wife at this place and also the biggest building in Unhyungung.

King Gojong’s wife was educated to become a queen before she married King Gojong at this place.

Norakdang

 Front yard

The marriage ceremony

These days, many couples get married in this front yard. So usually on Saturdays, visitors could see the traditional marriage process of Korea.

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