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 of ...

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eas ...

, 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 r ...

. 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 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