Long Description:
English Text:
SEOUL SUNGNYEMUN
Designation: National Treasure No. 1
Period: Jeoson Dynasty 1398
Location: 29 Namdaemunno 4(sa)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
This was the main gate in the fortress wall of Seoul. It is also
called Namdaemun (Great South Gate), as it is the southern gate of
the capital city. It was first constructed in 1398, and was rebuilt
in 1448.
The gatehouse, which measures 5 kan (a kan is the interval
between pillars) in width and 2 kan in depth, is a wooden structure
built in typical style. It is the largest gate in Korea. There are
some conflicting theories about the author of the characters on the
plaque hanging from the gate, but it is recorded in and old text
called "Jibongyeseol" (1634) that they were written by Prince
Yangnyeong.
From the Wikipedia
Construction began in 1395 during the fourth year of the reign
of King Taejo of Joseon and was finished in 1398. The structure was
rebuilt in 1447 and was renovated several times since. It was
originally one of three main gates, the others being the East Gate
(Dongdaemun) and the now-demolished West Gate in the Seodaemun-gu
district, named after the old gate.
In the early part of the 20th century, the city walls that
surrounded Seoul were demolished, ostensibly "to make the traffic
system more efficient." A visit to Seoul by the Crown Prince of
Japan prompted the demolition of the walls around Namdaemun, as the
prince was deemed to be too exalted to pass through the
gateway.
The gate was closed to the public in 1907 after the Japanese
colonial authorities constructed an electric tramway nearby.
Namdaemun was extensively damaged during the Korean War and was
given its last major repair in 1961, with a completion ceremony
held on May 14, 1963. It was given the status of "National Treasure
No.1" on December 20, 1962.
The Gate was renovated again in 2005 with the building of a lawn
around the gate, before being opened once again to the public with
much fanfare on March 3, 2006.
During the restoration, 182 pages of blueprints for the gate
were made as a contingency against any emergencies which may damage
the structure. Three years later, such an emergency arose.
At approximately 8:50 p.m. on February 10, 2008, a fire broke
out and severely damaged the wooden structure at the top of the
Namdaemun gate. The fire roared out of control again after midnight
and finally destroyed the structure, despite the efforts of more
than 360 firefighters.
Many witnesses reported seeing a suspicious man shortly before
the fire, and two disposable lighters were found where the fire was
believed to have started. A 69-year-old man identified as Chae
Jong-gi was arrested on suspicion of arson and then later confessed
to the crime.
A police captain reported that Chae sprayed paint thinner on the
floor of the structure and then set fire to it. Police say that
Chae was upset about not being paid in full for land he had sold to
developers. The same man had been charged with setting a fire at
Changgyeong Palace in Seoul in 2006.
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namdaemun"> Namdaemun
The photos for this waymark were taken in March 2009, about a
month after Namdaemun was oficially reopened for public viewing of
the reconstruction. The target date for completion is 2012, when it
will once again be unveiled in all of its grandeur. It will remain
National Treasure No. 1 in the minds and hearts of the people.
During the reconstruction phase, there is a wall surrounding the
site with large panoramic photos of the gate, and there is a
wonderful display of old photographs and history of the gate from
its planning over 650 years ago, through its various phases of use,
disuse, and refurbishing over the centuries.
All photos for this waymark are of those displays.
Ancient map of old Seoul showing the walls and location of
Namdaemun ca. 1392
Namdaemun - 1888
Namdaemun - 1890
Namdaemun - 1905 (l) 1911 (r)
Namdaemun - 1929 (l) 1932 (r)
Namdaemun - 1940
Namdaemun - 1952 (l) 1963 (r)
Namdaemun - 1970 (l) 2006 (r)
Namdaemun - Feb. 10, 2008