Deoksugung Palace

City Hall – across the street from the palace.

Looks like a big concert they’re preparing for, but it’s actually Easter Sunday Mass. At city hall !!! Christianity has made a few leaps and bounds in Korea.

The Gateway to Deoksugung Palace

(The Palace of Virtue and Longevity)
Dates back to the mid 1400’s.

This was my first official sightseeing project in Seoul. We were lucky enough to show up just in time to catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

The Changing of the Guard

the yellow trumpeteers

Borugak Jag Yeong Nu

This is a Water Clock. It was made in 1536 and was used to keep the standard time of the Josun Dynasty.

It is the oldest and largest water clock in the world.


A Statue of King Sejong

He was the fourth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty.

He lived from 1397-1450 and is probably the most famous Korean.
Why?

He created the Hangul – the Korean alphabet.
(Korea today has a literacy rate of 100%)

He is also credited with improving movable printing type, thus allowing more books to be published, inventing many scientific instruments, such as rain gauges, sundials, water clocks and astronomical exploration devices.

He is also credited with improving Korean music.
(hmmm. i won't say it)

Heung Cheon Sa Bell

Built in 1462.
Heung Cheon Sa was a temple that burnt down in 1510.

The Jinxed Lovers’ Lane

This is the narrow alleyway outside the walls of the Palace. This street is special for having a jinx.

It is said that a couple walking together down this lane are doomed to break up.

I noticed a lot of couples when I took this photo. I was thinking possibly rebellious youth challenging tradition and maybe some who are willing to tempt fate. hehe