Heunginjimun Gate

Heunginjimun Gate is the eastern gate among the eight gates of the Seoul City Wall. The Seoul City Wall is the old name of the Seoul Hanyangdoseong Fortress, built to protect Hanseongbu, which housed important national facilities. It is also called Dongdaemun Gate because it is the large gate in the east. It was built in the 5th year of King Taejo of Joseon (1396) during the construction of the fortress, rebuilt in the 1st year of King Danjong (1453), and the current gate was newly built in the 6th year of King Gojong (1869). It is a two-story building with 5 bays in the front and 2 bays on the sides, with a hip-and-gable roof shaped like a trapezoid when viewed from the front. The brackets supporting the eaves are in the multi-bracket style, placed not only on top of the pillars but also between them, with thin, weak forms and many decorative elements, well representing the characteristics of the late Joseon period. Additionally, a semi-circular barbican was built outside to protect and strengthen the gate. This can be considered a rationally planned facility for attacking enemies. Heunginjimun Gate is the only one among the eight city gates to have a barbican, and it well reflects the architectural style of the late Joseon period. It is located right next to Exit 9 of Dongdaemun Station on Subway Line 1 and Line 4 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway. Within a 5-minute walk, there are the Fortress Park and the Hanyangdoseong Museum, as well as Seoul attractions such as DDP and Dongdaemun Market, making it a good place to visit together.