Donggwanwangmyo Shrine, Seoul

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.142

Category

Architecture

Era

조선 선조 34년(1601)

Designated year

1963

Location

종로구, 서울특별시— 서울 종로구 난계로27길 84 (숭인동) / (지번)서울 종로구 숭인2동 238-1

Coordinates

37.572967, 127.018336

Located outside of Heunginjimun Gate, Donggwanwangmyo Shrine is a tomb for Chinese general Guan Yu of the ancient Chinese state Shu Han (3rd century). During the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, the Joseon's Army defeated the Japanese with the help of the army of the Ming Dynasty of China. The Wanli Emperor of Ming thought that they won the battle since they were guided by the spirit of General Guan Yu. He sent the plaque with his own calligraphy to Joseon in order to construct the shrine. The construction of Donggwanwangmyo Shrine started in 1599 (the 32nd year of the reign of King Seonjo of the Joseon Dynasty) and ended two years later in 1601. Four statues including the wooden statue of Guan Yu and the statues of Guan Ping (Guan Yu’s eldest son) and Zhou Chang are currently enshrined inside the building. It has 5 rooms in front and 6 on the side. The roof is T-shaped. The building is shaped like a long rectangle from the front and the back. The side and the back wall were made of bricks. The luxurious decorations inside the building were influenced by the Chinese style. This shrine has some unusual features compared with other Korean buildings.

Location