Deoksugung Palace
Traditional wooden halls stand beside Western-style stone buildings, showing changes in modern Seoul.
Why choose this place
For contrasting architectural eras: tiled palace halls beside Western-style stone buildings make Seoul’s transition visible.
Make the most of your visit
Compare curved tiled roofs with straight stone columns. Exhibition spaces inside may have separate visitor guidance.
Stories from the record
An emergency residence becomes a palace
After palaces burned during the Imjin War, Seonjo used royal-family houses here as a temporary residence. It later became Gyeongungung and, under Gojong, the Korean Empire's central palace. Several eras overlap in this compact site.
Architecture of the Korean Empire
Traditional halls and Western-style buildings stand together. Compare Seokjojeon's columns with Junghwajeon's wooden eaves. Their contrasting materials and proportions reflect attempts to express the identity of a changing state.
A changed name and a smaller domain
After Gojong's removal from power, the palace became known as Deoksugung. Its grounds later shrank and buildings disappeared. Today's walls do not contain the full former palace; nearby Jeong-dong helps you imagine its wider setting.
Sources
Before you go
Opening hours and closing days can change, so check the official information before visiting.