seoul’s sungnyemun (south) gate
Post on 08-Jan-2016
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Seoul’s Sungnyemun (South) Gate
This national treasure, sometimes called “The
Great South Gate” (Namdaemun), was constructed in 1398 and rebuilt in 1448. One of the entrances to Seoul, it was the
largest gate in Korea.
Unfortunately, only four months after I
visited Seoul, some old demented man burned
the gate down (February 2008).
The huge gate towers over the surrounding park and nestles in and among the skyscrapers of the modern city, which has grown considerably over the years.
Changingof the Guard
Several times a day, Korean guards, dressed in
traditional ceremonial uniforms, march from a
building across the street to their positions in front of the huge South Gate.
Like the Guards at Buckingham Palace in
London, these guards are stoic and never smile
during their “watch” at the gate—even as tourists snap photos up close.
The Watchman (Pasu) Ceremony, conducted daily by the guards, was considered just as important as the guarding of the Royal Palace.
The guards would march, then reposition themselves periodically.
Left: the Chief of the guards; right: one of several guards in the small unit.
The two-layered structure sat upon a huge hill and
large concrete bricks.
Walking “under” the portal of the gate, very old wooden beams were brightly
painted with a dragon and flowers.
It was a gorgeous (but hot and humid) day; some local Koreans
and a lot of tourists would sit and ponder the huge structure.
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