Changui Gate, Seoul

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1881

Category

Arms & Armor

Era

조선시대

Designated year

2015

Location

종로구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 종로구 창의문로 42 (청운동)

Coordinates

37.592611, 126.966472

Changuimun Gate is one of the four minor gates of the fortress wall encircling downtown Seoul, and is located on the northwestern section of the wall. It was originally built in 1396 as part of the fortress of Hanyang (present-day Seoul) to provide, together with Sukjeongmun Gate, a transportation route linking the capital of Joseon with Yangju and Goyang. The gate was closed in 1416 according to a Pungsu principle, but was eventually reopened in 1506. It was through this gate that Prince Neungyanggun led a rebel army to attack the royal palace to dethrone King Gwanghaegun and become King Injo (r. 1623-1649) in 1623. The gatehouse was burnt down during the Imjin waeran (1592-98), a seven-year-long war started by the Japanese invasion of 1592, but it was rebuilt in 1742 and hung with a plaque engraved with a list of meritorious subjects who participated in the 1623 rebellion. Formerly a strategic defense facility, Changuimun Gate exhibits the characteristic style of late Joseon gatehouses and is highly regarded for its architectural merit. The defense structures around the gate are also in a good state of preservation.

Location