An even further pavilion

By British Expat, 27 May 2018

Pic of the Week: 27 May 2018

by Matthew Ragen © 2012

Hyangwonjeong Pavilion in the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung Palace Complex, the seat of the Joseon dynasty of Korean royalty, in Seoul.

Gyeongbokgung was initially built – mostly of wood and stone – just three years after the Joseon dynasty was founded in 1392. After being burnt down by the Japanese in 1592, the site lay unoccupied for over 270 years until 1967, when Regent Heungseon Daewongun ordered it to be rebuilt. Then the Japanese burned it down again after they conquered Korea in 1910, building their Government-General building in front of the throne hall. Further damage occurred during the Korean War (1950-53). In 1989 the Republic of Korea government embarked on a 40-year programme to rebuild the complex.

Hyangwonjeong Pavilion dates originally from 1873. Hyangwonjeong (향원정) translates approximately as “Pavilion of Far-reaching Fragrance”. It’s built on an artificial island and is reached by a wooden bridge, the longest entirely wooden bridge built during the Joseon dynasty; the bridge was destroyed during the Korean War and rebuilt as early as 1953. The bridge is named Chwihyanggyo (취향교), “Bridge Intoxicated with Fragrance”.