Near our apartment at Fraser Suites (http://seoul.frasershospitality.com ) is one of Seoul's UNESCO World Heritage sites (http://whc.unesco.org ).
Jongmyo is a Confucian shrine dedicated to the memorial
services for the deceased kings and queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. It is only accessible with an on-site guide so check the schedule for you language and plan for 1 hour to tour the site.
According to UNESCO, the shrine is the oldest royal Confucian shrine preserved
and the ritual ceremonies continue a tradition established since the 14th
century. Such shrines existed during the Three Kingdoms of Korea period but
only the shrines for the rulers of Joseon remain. The Jongmyo Shrine was added
to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995.
This isn't a tomb. It is a place of spirits. Ceremonies were held at 1:00 am - a time better for spirits to roam the living world. A king's tablets were
enshrined three years after his death. There are 19 memorial tablets of kings
and 30 of their queens, placed in 19 chambers. Each room is very simple and plain
in design. Only two kings' memorial tablets are not enshrined here.
Entrance Gate - Here the high road is reserved for spirits, not the living King.
Ponds are square with circular islands - and without fish. This place isn't for the living.
Separate building for preparation of the bodies and ceremonial dressing of the King or Crown Prince.
Garrison for dressing of the guards for ceremonies.
Jongmyo Shrine (don't let the photo fool you, it is huge)
19 ceremonial chambers at Jongmyo
As centuries passed, Jongmyo was filled and a smaller Shrine had to be constructed. Spirit tablets were moved from Jongmyo based on contribution and accomplishment. And - yes, Queen tablets were allowed to be place in the Shrine (but not in separate rooms).
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