Heunginjimun Gate, Seoul

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1

Category

Architecture

Era

조선 고종 6년(1869)

Designated year

1963

Location

종로구, 서울특별시— 서울 종로구 종로 288 (종로6가) / (지번)서울 종로구 종로6가 69

Coordinates

37.571131, 127.009659

Seoul fortress wall was built to protect Joseon’s capital, Hanseong, where a number of important national institutions were situated. Of the eight gates of the fortress wall, Heunginjimun Gate, located to the east of Seoul (also known as Dongdaemun Gate), was originally built in 1398 (the seventh year of the reign of King Taejo), repaired in 1453 (the first year of the reign of King Danjong), and acquired its current appearance as a result of restoration work carried out in 1869 (the 6th year of the reign of King Gojong). The gate is a two-story building exhibiting the characteristic construction style of the late Joseon period. It measures 5 kan (a unit of measurement referring to the distance between two columns) at the front and 2 kan at the sides, has a hipped-and-gable roof, and resembles a trapezoid when viewed from the front. The eaves of the roof are supported by a bracket system consisting of thin weak brackets with excessive decoration, placed on and between the pillars. Heunginjimun Gate is the only gate of the wall to have a semi-circular barbican built both for defensive and offensive purposes.

Location