Namdaemun Gate, Seoul, South Korea...

Namdaemun Gate : This was a symbolic place where everyone wants to visit when they come to Seoul.

History

Namdaemun is Korea’s 1st national treasure, and its original name was Sungnyemun. Namdaemun is the largest castle gate stone structure with an arched entrance in the middle. There’s a column on top of a platform, raising the roof, distinguishing the upper stories and lower stories of the building. A passageway for traffic is located at the east and west ends of the gate.

Different from the other gates, Namdaemun’s tablet has Sungnyemun written vertically. 

When the first king of Joseon Dynasty, Lee Seong-Gye (reign 1335-1408), had constructed the capital city, he believed that fire will reach to Gyeongbokgung Palace as well as the capital city as Mt. Gwanaksan of Seoul is shaped like fire according to feng-shui principles. Sungnyemun’s name means fire, which is from the harmony of the Five Elements and if written vertically, the Chinese character ‘fire’ looks as if it is providing protection. This was Taejong’s (1367-1422) first son, Yangnyeongdaegun’s (1394-1462) famous writing.

Namdaemun illuminated at night

The Great Fire. Much to the whole nations dismay, on February 10th, a gentleman who the media reports only by his surname Chae, attempted to destroy the historic landmark by putting it on fire!!!!! I later found out that the reason the man claimed to start the fire is because his land got taken away from him in some type of unfair court case. This fire was his own personal protest...and to make matters worse, this man was 69 years old!

Namdaemun Gate after fire

South Korea's Cultural Heritage Administration estimated it would take at least three years to restore the gate fully and would cost some $21 million. Yet, local architects suspected the damage was too extensive for restoration, fearing the authority might have to rebuild the whole monument.

Activity

These type of historic landmarks are really cool places to visit because there is generally, a lot of activity surrounding them! Let me tell you about a few:

1) The Doksugung Palace

A few steps from the Great South Gate is Doksugung Palace. Of course it once housed royalty of the Korean nation until the Japanese came to Korea and overtook it :( It is quite beautiful though, and has guards that stand watch of this historic monument.

The Guards dressed in ceremonial robes for the Change of the Guard

ATraditional Korean Drum

  2) The Namdaemun  Marketplace

This market is considered a traditional type of Korean market and offers all types of clothing, kitchen ware, spices & traditional Korean items.  Located in the Jung-gu area of the city, this 24 hour market can be a shoppers dream! Complete with booths, malls & arcades full of goods to meet almost all tastes and styles. Actually, it can be quite overwhelming to take in at once. During my first visit to this area, it was quite cold, so the marketplace full of people to block the spine-chilling wind was definitely a welcomed site. There are so many different places to shop in this marketplace right across from the Namdaemun Gate.


                                     

Addtitional Information

Opening Hours

• Namdaemun or Sungnyemun’s opening hours is from 10am to 5pm daily, and tourists may take the center passage of Sungnyemun, Hongyemun to visit the area. At night, the castle gate’s mercury lamps light Namdaemun beautifully for one to witness.

Admission Fees

• Free

Directions

• Take Seoul subway line 2 to Sicheong Station and go out of exit #8, a 10 min. walk 
• Take Seoul subway line 1 to Seoul Station and go out of exit #4, a 5 min. walk 
• Take Seoul subway line 4 to Hoehyeon Station and go out of exit #4, a 5 min. walk

Hope you enjoyed today's posting...as you can tell, Korea has a LOT to offer...(@~@)