Unhyeon Palace (Seoul)

www.unhyeongung.or.kr/index_eng.php

Unhyeon Palace is a former Korean royal residence of Prince Regent Daewon-gun, ruler of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty in the 19th century, and father of Emperor Gojong. Gojong himself also lived in this palace until age 12 when he assumed the throne.

The site of the palace dates from the 14th century but most of the early buildings were damaged or destroyed, but some of the early structures still remain. Under the direction of Queen Mother Jo, Unhyeongung was converted into a grander complex with four gates.

The residential complex was taken from Daewon-gun\\\'s descendents under Japanese colonial rule but was returned in 1948. In 1993 the palace was sold to the Seoul government and subsequently underwent 3 years of renovations and restored Unhyeongung to its earlier appearance. Today the complex is smaller than it was originally.

Unhyeongung is the site for the Royal wedding ceremony, an reenactment of King Gojong and Queen Myeongseong’s Royal Wedding Ceremony that took place on the grounds of Unhyeongung on March 21, 1866. This reenactment takes place in the spring and fall of every year.

The complex also contains a small museum and some interior rooms have been refurnished, and contain mannequins dressed in typical clothing styles for various stations of life in Korean history.

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