Changdeokgung

The second palace

Most kings preferred the second palace to the main one

Changdeokgung was established in 1405 as the second palace in Seoul, after Gyeongbokgung. Despite Gyeongbokgung's legally superior status, a majority of kings preferred to reside in Changdeokgung. Its name means Palace of Prospering Virtue.

Why a second

King Taejong may have wanted to avoid the old palace

In 1404 King Taejong ordered Changdeokgung built as a secondary palace. A number of scholars argue he wanted to avoid Gyeongbokgung because of unpleasant memories there, and because he thought it had inauspicious feng shui qualities.

The main palace

After 1592 this palace was restored and Gyeongbokgung was not

In 1592, during the Imjin War, all the city's palaces were completely burned down. Plans to repair Gyeongbokgung were not acted on, and funding was hard to find. Changdeokgung was restored instead and became the main palace of Joseon.

1623

Rebels burned almost all of the palace in 1623

In 1623, during the coup that installed King Injo, rebels burned down almost all the buildings. Only Injeongjeon, two buildings for the Owi, a palace pharmacy and a few others were spared. Work resumed in 1647 and ended in five months, with buildings recycled from In'gyŏnggung.

Secret Garden

The Secret Garden was closed to most people before the 20th century

The rear garden, popularly known as the Secret Garden, was used for leisure, but also for politics, ceremonies, military training drills and examinations. It has artificial ponds and pavilions, and over 160 species of trees.

160species of trees, more than 70 over 300 years old