Plinths of Yeongeunmun Gate, Seoul

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.33

Category

유적지

Era

조선시대

Designated year

1963

Location

서대문구, 서울특별시— 서울 서대문구 현저동 945번지

Coordinates

37.572252, 126.959626

Erected in front of Mohwagwan Hall, this is the plinth of the Yeongeunmun Gate where Chinese emissaries were received during the Joseon Dynasty. It was torn down since it was considered symbolic of the country's theretofore flunkeyism to foreign policy. Two of its stone pillars stand in front of Dongnimmun, the Independence Gate. Erected in the 7th year of the reign of King Taejong (1407), Mohwagwan was originally called Mohwaru but was renamed "Mohwagwan” in the 12th year of The Great King Sejong (1430). Hongsalmun Gate, a red arrow gate with arrow-shaped decoration on top, was erected in front of it. A new gate was built in the 32nd year of the reign of King Jungjong (1537), supposed to be named Yeongjomun but was renamed Yeongeunmun two years later at the advice of a Chinese emissary. It is also called Yeonjumun or Yeoneunmun. With the hip roof, its column stands based on two, long cornerstones. The roof is composed of blue tiles and decorated with japsang, a set of decorative roof tiles on the roof over an angle rafter. Two cornerstones are erected on the two-tiered square foundation. Two pairs of ansang design, a flower-shaped one, are carved on the foundation. It was moved to this place in 1979.

Location