[Spot] Gyeongbokgung

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                Kali ini saya mau memposting menggunakan bahasa inggris. Hehe.

The Gyeongbokgung ("Palace of Shining Happiness") is a royal palace located in Northern Seoul, South Korea. It was the symbol of majesty for the Korean nation and the dwelling place for the Korean royal family.

The palace was originally built in 1394 by the orders of King Taejo (the first king of Joseon Dynasty) but was largely burnt down during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. In 1867, Emperor Gojong ordered that the Gyeongbokgung Palace be rebuilt. However, after Empress Myeongseong (Emperor Gojong's wife) was murdered in 1895 at the residence, the royal family left the palace and never came back.

The Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is possibly the most beautiful and the grandest palace of Joseon Dynasty, used to be a massive complex comprising hundreds of buildings and thousands of rooms. Nevertheless, during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945), the Japanese Government destroyed all but ten buildings and constructed the Japanese General Government Building in front of the palace's Throne Hall as a way to eliminate the symbol and heritage of Joseon Dynasty.

In 1989, the Korean Government embarked on a 40-year plan to rebuild the structures that were demolished during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Today, the Gyeongbokgung Palace is open to public and also houses the National Folk Museum of Korea and the National Palace Museum of Korea which have been constructed on the palace grounds.

The Geunjeongjeon Hall is the Throne Hall of Gyeongbokgung where the King formally granted audiences to his officials, gave national declarations, and greeted foreign dignitaries during the Joseon Dynasty. The building survived both the Japanese invasion of Korea and the Korean War.

The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (Royal Banquet Hall) sits on an islet in an artificial rectangular lake. The grand pavilion was used to hold special and important state banquets during the Joseon Dynasty.

The Gangnyeongjeon Hall was used as the main living quarters and sleeping chambers for the King. The building was burned down during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 and was rebuilt by the orders of King Gojong in 1867. The Gangnyeongjeon Hall suffered more mishaps later and was destroyed again and again. The present building was constructed in 1994, based on the original specifications and design.

The Gyotaejeon Hall was used as the main living quarters and sleeping chambers for the Queen. The building was burned down during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 and was rebuilt by the orders of King Gojong in 1867. Having the same fate as the Gangnyeongjeon Hall, the Gyotaejeon Hall was destroyed again and again and was reconstructed in 1994, based on its original specifications and design.

SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeongbokgung

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea_under_Japanese_rule

http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264337