Saturday, July 9, 2011

Momente din Seul 28. Palatul Gyeongbok / Seoul Moments 28. Gyeongbok Palace

The last palace I visited in Seoul was the Gyeongbokgung. It is to be found in the Gwanghwamun Square, and the entrance fee is 3000 won. The palace was erected during the reign of king Taejo, in 1394, and it is the most representative for the Joseon dinasty.

Its main gate, the Gwanghwamun Gate, was destroyed during the Japaneze occupation, then rebuilt and destroyed again during the Korean war. The gate was rebuilt and open on 2010.

Among many structures, conected by walls and doors or gates, which confer a pictoresque aspect, the most important is Geunjeongjeon, the throne hall. It is built on a 2 levels terace, adorned with stone animals from the zodiac, phoenix and dragons - the symbols of the king, etc. The painting behind the throne with the sun, the moon and the 5 mountain peaks was allowed to be done only for the king.

There are other 2 museums in the complex: The National Palaces Museum and The National Folk Museum of Korea. All are in a huge park, at the foot of Mountain Bukhansan. The plum flowers and the delicate green fans, which are the leaves of the gingko tree, add to the charm of this place.

Aflat in Piata Gwanghwamun, in sudul muntelui Bugaksan, Palatul Gyeongbok a fost construit in 1394 de catre regele Taejo, in noua capitala regala, numita pe atunci Hanseong (actualul Seul).A fost ultimul dintre palatele seulite pe care l-am vizitat.
 Mtele. Bugaksan
 Pta. Gwanghwamun
Impreuna cu altarul Jongmyo si alte cateva temple, acest palat a fost printre primele structuri care au inceput sa dea forma orasului. Era o resedinta completa, care adapostea intre zidurile sale locuintele familiei regale, diverse servicii, altare si o multime de servitori. Accesul se facea prin patru porti, dintre care Gwanghwamun era cea mai importanta. Distrusa in timpul invaziei japoneze, cand a fost arsa din temelii pentru a face loc constructiei guvernului japonez, refacuta si apoi din nou distrusa in timpul razboiului coreean, poarta a fost complet restaurata si deschisa in 2010.
 Poarta Gwanghwamun
 schimb de garda 
Aceasta era pazita de fapturile mitice haetae, care aparau de foc si, in acelasi timp, asigurau dreptatea, putand sa faca deosebirea dintre bine si rau.
haetae
Dupa ce se trece de poarta si de podul traditional pentru palatele coreene, complexul este compus din mai multe unitati, mai mici, despartite intre ele prin ziduri si porti, care ii confera un aer fermecator de labirint.
Cea mai importanta este desigur zona cu sala tronului, Geunjeongjeon. Palatul Gyeongbok este cel mai mare si reprezentativ pentru dinastia Joseon si acest lucru se vede din plin aici. Sala tronului este asezata pe o terasa cu doua etaje, cu o balustrada din piatra impodobita cu 36 de figuri reprezentand haetae, dragoni, tigri, phoenix, broasca testoasa si alte simboluri ale autoritatii regale. In curtea mare, pietruita, se insira semnele binecunoscute deja, care marcau locul ministrilor la ceremonii. De afara, pare ca sala are doua etaje dar de fapt este doar unul, tavanul fiind foarte inalt.
Sala tronului era folosita in ocazii speciale precum: audientele regale cu toate persoanele oficiale, receptiile pentru solii straini, incoronarea regilor si investitura printilor mostenitori, nuntile regale. Pe tavan apar si aici dragonii, cele mai puternice animale, iar pe aleea palanchinelor apare phoenixul. Atat dragonul cat si phoenixul sunt simboluri ale regelui. De asemenea, paravanul pictat din spatele tronului reprezinta elemente pe care doar regele le putea avea pictate: soarele, luna si cele 5 varfuri de munte.
 phoenixul
 Maimuta si Tigrul alb din zodiacul chinezesc
Pe langa faptul ca in acest complex se mai gasesc doua muzee, Muzeul Palatelor Nationale si Muzeul National de Folclor al Coreei, parcul imens in care se afla si muntele din fundal te fac sa te simti intr-o mare si frumoasa statiune. Florile de prun decorativ si verdele crud din evantaiul delicatelor frunze de gingko isi adauga farmecul lor.



16 comments:

Joop Zand said...

It's always a pleasure to see your nice photo's and to reed your travelstory's.

Greetings, Joop

Randy said...

Interesting place. I love the last photo. The colors of those blossoms are so rich.

Traveling Hawk said...

Thanks, Joop Zand!

Greetings!

Traveling Hawk said...

They are plum blossoms, Randy. Thanks!

Have a nice Sunday!

VertAnge said...

Nu am mai vazut pana acum flori de prun japonez. Sunt foarte frumoase!

Doug Hickok said...

The artwork and colorful detail are just amazing. When the Olympics come to Seoul everyone will know what you already know, just how beautiful it is in South Korea.

VP said...

Excellent set of pictures, the last one is really perfect!

Traveling Hawk said...

@ VertAnge: erau foarte frumoase, intr-adevar.

RIZALENIO said...

Beautiful photo framing, my friend. Lovely flowers in the end. :)

Traveling Hawk said...

Yes, Doug, that's exactly what I wanted: to show everybody what a beautiful country South Korea is!

Traveling Hawk said...

The flowers have been perfect, VP:)

Traveling Hawk said...

Thank you, Rizalenio, for your kind words!

LifeRamblings said...

Seoul is an interesting country. it must have been great to get a taste of its intriguing culture and history. i like the shot of changing of guards.

Traveling Hawk said...

Out of the three Asian capital cities I have seen so far, Beijing, Delhi and Seoul, I liked Seoul the best. It is a magnific city, Life Ramblings!

J_on_tour said...

Fascinating buildings, details and colour once again.

Traveling Hawk said...

Thanks for the comment!