Deoksugung Palace, Seoul
Located at the corner of the intersection of crowded streets of downtown Seoul, Deoksugung Palace is, among other things, a palace famous for its elegant path of stone wall. As the only palace that stands alongside modern buildings adds uniqueness to the landscape.
Deoksugung Palace originally belonged to Prince Wolsandaegun (1454 ~ 1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469 ~ 1494) of the Joseon Dynasty. He was promoted to the rank of proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575 ~ 1641) ascended the throne and gave the name of building Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. After those days, the name changed to Deoksugung palace.
Entering the Palace Deoksugung Daehanmun portal appears in the pond Geumcheon Geumcheon bridge, wide enough to place him as the coach of the monarch. Beopjeon Building, Junghwajeon, stands with authority as containing the long history that leads to it. The building was named for Jeukjodang Gwanghaegun and Jo both monarchs were crowned here. The front sign was written by Gojong Jeukjodang in 1905 after he ascended the throne. Hamnyeongjeon was where Go in Hamnyeong Jong slept, and was named so for wanting Gojong have lasting peace. The East Wing served as the King’s room and the west wing of the Queen.
Jeonggwanheon was the first western style building built in the palace in 1900. Jong enjoyed drinking coffee and spending his free time here. At the rear of the building had, and even today there are secret passageways to the Russian Emissary Residence. Seokjojeon is another Western-style building that still remains to this day in Gyeongungung Palace, which was being built by an Englishman for his company in 1905 but later in the hands of the Japanese government to build it ended in 1910.
After the death of King Gojong, Seokjojeon became a Japanese art gallery opened its doors to the public, and after Independence, the U.S. Joint Commission and Russia was held here in May 1946. The east wing of the building now serves as headquarters Seokjogwan Exhibition Treasures of the Palace, and the west wing is used as part of the National Museum of Contemporary Arts.
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Source: http://spanish.visitkorea.or.kr/spa/TR/TR_SP_3_1_2.jsp?cid=334519
images sources: www.knowledgerush.com/wiki_image/4/40/Korea_south_seoul_deoksugung_palace.jpg; http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/2258993497_d8dcbf121c.jpg; www.dailytravelphotos.com/images/2009/091003_seoul_korea_deoksugung_palace_daehanmun_changing_royal_guards_drum_MG_2535.jpg