Changdeokgung Seonwonjeon Hall

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.817

Category

Architecture

Era

조선시대

Designated year

1985

Location

종로구, 서울특별시— 서울 종로구 율곡로 99, 창덕궁 (와룡동)

Coordinates

37.579634, 126.990136

Seonwonjeon, located in the precincts of Changdeokgung Palace, was the place where portraits of deceased Joseon kings were enshrined and memorial rites were held. The main royal shrine Jongmyo outside the palace also performed the similar functions. The present building was moved to this site in 1656, the seventh year of King Hyojong’s reign, from Gyeonghwadang Hall in Gyeongdeokgung Palace, and then called Chunhwijeon. It was renamed Seonwonjeon in 1695, the 21st year of King Sukjong. Portraits of Kings Sukjong, Yeongjo, Jeongjo, Sunjo, Ikjong and Heonjong were enshrined here before they were moved to the New Seonwonjeon constructed to the north west of the rear garden of Changdeokgung in 1921. Since then the previous one has been called the Former Seonwonjeon. However, the relocated portraits were burnt to ashes in 1950 during the Korean War. The former Seonwonjeon, simple in structure and without ornamentation, exemplifies the style and characteristics of the royal shrines of the Joseon Dynasty.

Location