Gwanghuimun (Hangul 광희문, Hanja 光熙門; also known as Southeast Gate) is one of
The Eight Gates of Seoul
The Eight Gates of Seoul are eight historical gates that were located in the Fortress Wall of Seoul, South Korea, which surrounded the city in the Joseon Dynasty. Six of these gates exist today (2018). All eight gates were originally built betwee ...
in the
Fortress Wall of
Seoul
Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 ...
,
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...
, which surrounded the city in the
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...
. The gate is also known as Namsomun (남소문, “South Small Gate”). It was originally called Sugumun "Water Channel Gate."
History
Gwanghuimun was originally built in 1396, and was rebuilt from 1711-1719. It was the only gate to be left virtually untouched during the
Japanese Occupation. However, it was largely destroyed during the
Korean War
, date = {{Ubl, 25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953 (''de facto'')({{Age in years, months, weeks and days, month1=6, day1=25, year1=1950, month2=7, day2=27, year2=1953), 25 June 1950 – present (''de jure'')({{Age in years, months, weeks a ...
, but was restored in 1976.
The name Gwanghuimun means literally “Bright Light Gate.”
Preservation
Gwanghuimun is located in
Jung-gu,
Gwanghui-dong
Gwanghui-dong is a ''dong (neighbourhood), dong'', neighbourhood of Jung-gu, Seoul, Jung-gu in Seoul, South Korea.
Transportation
* Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station of , of and of
See also
*Administrative divisions of South Korea
...
2-ga, Seoul, at the intersection of Geumhodong-gil and Toegye-ro. The current gate is located slightly further south than the original gate, due to road construction.
The gate can be easily accessed from the
Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, which is located on both
subway line 2 and
subway line 4. It is located about 1/2 block south from subway line 2, exit 3; and about 2 1/2 blocks east from subway line 4, exit 4. Visitors to the gate today are not allowed access above the gate, but can go through the gate and circle the section of the Fortress Wall it is connected to.
Gallery
File:Gwanghuimun Gate, Seoul, Korea.jpg, Gwanghuimun Gate, Seoul, Korea
File:Gwanghuimun gate Back, Seoul, Korea.jpg, Gwanghuimun gate Back, Seoul, Korea
File:Gwanghuimun Gate, with Fortress Wall, Seoul, Korea.jpg, Gwanghuimun Gate, with Fortress Wall, Seoul, Korea
File:Gwanghuimun Signboard, Seoul, Korea.jpg, Gwanghuimun Signboard, Seoul, Korea
File:Gwanghuimun Gate, back with Fortress Wall, Seoul, Korea.jpg, Gwanghuimun Gate, back with Fortress Wall, Seoul, Korea
File:Gwanghuimun Gate, front, stonework of Fortress Wall, Seoul, Korea.jpg, Gwanghuimun Gate, front, stonework of Fortress Wall, Seoul, Korea
File:Gwanghuimun Gate, back stonework, Seoul, Korea.jpg, Gwanghuimun Gate, back stonework, Seoul, Korea
File:Gwanghuimun Gate, Gatehouse, Seoul, Korea.jpg, Gwanghuimun Gate, Gatehouse, Seoul, Korea
File:Gwanghuimun Gate, across street, Seoul, Korea.jpg, Gwanghuimun Gate, across street, Seoul, Korea
References
{{Authority control
Gates in Korea
Gates in South Korea
Buildings and structures in Seoul
History of Seoul
Rebuilt buildings and structures in South Korea