Free opening on May 4th - Sungnyemun returns to the people's arms after 5 years!
The Cultural Heritage Administration will open the four major palaces (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace) and Jongmyo Shrine for free on May 4, when the Sungnyemun Restoration Ceremony will be held.
- Sungnyemun Restoration Ceremony, Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m. -
The Cultural Heritage Administration (Director Byun Young-seop) will complete the five-year and three-month Sungnyemun restoration project and hold a ceremony to commemorate it at Sungnyemun and Gwanghwamun Square from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 4.
The ceremony will be held ▲ Pre-ceremony events such as "Cheondo" to wash away children's choruses and bad luck (13:50-14:00) ▲ Progress report, traditional performance Gocheon, signboard unveiling ceremony, opening gate, and hope delivery (14:00-14:40) ▲ Seonyupbong (希奉寶鑑望: 14:00~14移) ▲ Seonyubonggi (開度薦:14打).
Prior to the ceremony, the "Cultural Convergence Hope Postbox" event, which contains the people's pledge to cultivate and protect Sungnyemun and cultural heritage and hopes for cultural prosperity, will be held on May 1 at Jongmyo Shrine.
The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to hold the ceremony under the slogan "Sungnyemun, a new door to culture opens" to heal the people's loss caused by the Sungnyemun fire and to become a venue for national harmony celebrated with the whole nation.
Sungnyemun, which was damaged by arson in February 2008, was restored with the participation of the best craftsmen, including holders of important intangible cultural properties. Various historical evidence and research surveys were conducted to restore traditional techniques and materials, and the results were reflected in the recovery process. The tiles were made by hand and baked in a traditional tile kiln, and natural pigments were used instead of artificial pigments used before. The signboard, which was temporarily restored due to damage during the Korean War, also regained its original handwriting by obtaining a rubbing copy of the Joseon Dynasty. In addition, the left and right fortresses demolished by the Japanese colonial rule were restored.
In addition, the restoration of Sungnyemun was carried out with the support and interest of the whole nation. The donated pine trees were able to secure the wood needed for restoration, and in Korea?In addition, more than 700 million won in national donations was raised, allowing them to purchase materials necessary for construction. During the restoration period, more than 28,000 people watched Sungnyemun, which was restored in a traditional way, in person.
Sungnyemun, which has returned to the people's wishes, is open to the public after the ceremony, and is open free of charge from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Monday except for Monday. In addition, from May 18, the upper part of the gate tower (1st floor) will be available every Saturday (11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.), and 20 people will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. In May, the viewing time will be extended by one hour until 7 p.m.