International Day for Monuments and Sites: Changdeokgung

 International Day for Monuments and Sites: Changdeokgung

(All photos by honorary reporter Oh Ing Yeen)

In 1982, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) established 18 April as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, followed by UNESCO adoption during its 22nd General Conference. 

There are many monuments and heritage sites in Korea.

One example is Changdeokgung, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

According to the World Heritage Convention, the entire area of the Changdeokgung Palace Complex has been designated as a state-designated Cultural Heritage under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Also, several buildings of the complex have been designated as National Treasures or Treasures such as Injeongjon Hall, Injeongmun Gate, Seonjeongjeon Hall, Huijeongdang Hall, Daejojeon Hall, Old Seonwonjeon Shrine and Donhwamun Gate.

National Treasure: Injeongjeon (Injeong Hall)

Injeongjeon is listed as one of Korea's national treasures.

It was the main place that represents the history of the Joseon Dynasty and one of the three great halls along with Geunjeongjeon in Gyeongbokgung Palace and Myeongjeongjeon in Changgyeonggung Palace.

Treasure No. 813: Injeongmun Gate

According to the the Cultural Heritage Administration or CHA, the agency of the South Korean government in charged of preserving and promoting Korean cultural heritage, The Injeongmun was first built in 1418 during King Taejong's reign. However, it was subsequently destroyed and reconstructed; it was destroyed during the Japanese invasion, King Injo's Reform, and King Yeongjo's reign. The existing gate is assumed to have been built in 1745 when the Injeongjeon was reconstructed. 

Treasure No. 816: Daejojeon Hall

Daejojeon is the official residence of the queen.

According to the CHA, it's here that King Seongjong, King Injo, King Hyeonjong, King Cheoljong, and King Sunjong, etc. died.

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