Steps away from the front door of Fraser Suites is the Unhyeongung Royal Villa in Seoul. It is an excellent example
of traditional Korean architecture. In Korean, the word “gung” means palace,
and is found in the names of Gyeongbokgung and Seoul’s four other major
palaces. Technicaly, the Unhyeongung Royal Villa in Seoul was more royal
residence than palace. As such, it doesn’t bear the colorful painting of true
palaces and Buddhist temples. Nevertheless, these days it bears the royal name
“gung.”
Built in 1864 during the first year of King Gojong’s reign,
the young king took the throne at just age 12 when the former king died without
an heir. Given his youth, for about ten years the affairs of state were carried
out by his father, the prince regent Heungseon Daewongun.
At its height, the size of Unhyeongung Royal Villa in Seoul
rivaled that of a palace, although much of the royal residence was demolished
during the Japanese colonial era. After liberation it was returned to the
deposed royal family, but much of it was subsequently sold. In 1993, what
remained was acquired by the Seoul government, which paid for its renovation.
Today, the Unhyeongung Royal Villa in Seoul complex includes four significant
structures and two small exhibition halls.
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