[#23] Gyeonbok Palace + National Palace Museum of Korea
Seoul, sunny/windy, 4°C
Today I went to a splendid site in the heart of my beloved Seoul.
It's a well-preserved royal palace, its name is Gyeongbokgung and during the Joseon era (1392-1897) it was the residence of the King and his family.
Gyeongbokgung literally means 'Palace of the Shining Happiness', even if, accordingly to what the guide told me, the life of the king and his spouse wasn't very happy inside the walls of the palace.
The king's every move was constantly monitored since his life was seen as an example for the population.
On the other side, the queen was seldom able to meet his husband and she was in charge of the education not only of the royal princes and princesses, but even of every maid.
And her work was strictly monitored and judged by the king's mother.
So, shining happiness my @$$.
But this is only my humble opinion!
And maybe I haven't understood everything perfectly since the guided tour was in korean.
I haven't seen everything because it was too cold, I only visited the main buildings, which are:
the throne hall, the council hall, the king and queen private residences and the super beautiful summer pavillion. I'm planning to come back there as soon as the trees will be in full bloom :)
The palace is astonishingly HANDSOME. My pictures really can't compare with the real thing, but please take a look nonetheless :)
The coexistence of old and new will never cease to amaze me!
Outer walls:
The king residence (particular):
I love the roofs' style...
Corridor between King residence and summer pavillion:
Summer pavillion:
King's mother residence:
I went to the Museum related to the Palace. It contains a collection of art and objects from the Joseon era palaces. Unfortunately I couldn't take pictures inside (obviously), but I was able to snatch a photo of the imperial vehicles ;p
I can't wait to come there again :)
Today I went to a splendid site in the heart of my beloved Seoul.
It's a well-preserved royal palace, its name is Gyeongbokgung and during the Joseon era (1392-1897) it was the residence of the King and his family.
Gyeongbokgung literally means 'Palace of the Shining Happiness', even if, accordingly to what the guide told me, the life of the king and his spouse wasn't very happy inside the walls of the palace.
The king's every move was constantly monitored since his life was seen as an example for the population.
On the other side, the queen was seldom able to meet his husband and she was in charge of the education not only of the royal princes and princesses, but even of every maid.
And her work was strictly monitored and judged by the king's mother.
So, shining happiness my @$$.
But this is only my humble opinion!
And maybe I haven't understood everything perfectly since the guided tour was in korean.
I haven't seen everything because it was too cold, I only visited the main buildings, which are:
the throne hall, the council hall, the king and queen private residences and the super beautiful summer pavillion. I'm planning to come back there as soon as the trees will be in full bloom :)
The palace is astonishingly HANDSOME. My pictures really can't compare with the real thing, but please take a look nonetheless :)
The coexistence of old and new will never cease to amaze me!
Outer walls:
The king residence (particular):
I love the roofs' style...
Corridor between King residence and summer pavillion:
Summer pavillion:
King's mother residence:
I went to the Museum related to the Palace. It contains a collection of art and objects from the Joseon era palaces. Unfortunately I couldn't take pictures inside (obviously), but I was able to snatch a photo of the imperial vehicles ;p
I can't wait to come there again :)