Tapgol Park Octagonal Pavilion

Tapgol Park Octagonal Pavilion is a pavilion located in Tapgol Park, Jongno 2-ga, and was designated as a Tangible Cultural Heritage of Seoul on September 19, 1989. It was built together with the creation of Tapgol Park in 1897 (the 34th year of King Gojong's reign) following the suggestion of British advisor Brown to the provincial government. Tapgol Park is the first modern-style park in Seoul, and the octagonal pavilion is presumed to have been built in 1902 as a performance venue for a military band during a grand event commemorating the 40th anniversary of King Gojong's enthronement. At that time, the imperial orchestra used it as a music performance venue, initially playing orchestral music only on Sundays. As many citizens gathered to listen to the music, it was opened to the public on weekdays as well from July 1913. The building has an octagonal floor plan, with inner high pillars (goju) and outer low pillars (pyeongju) forming inner and outer columns. The roof is an octagonal roof with double eaves. The stylobate is built in five layers of long stone blocks surrounding each side. The interior floor is paved with thin stone slabs (bakseok), and the dancheong (traditional decorative painting) is painted in moru style. The excellent proportions of the building's exterior served as a model for the later Namsan Octagonal Pavilion. During the March 1st Movement in 1919, students and citizens gathered in front of this pavilion to read the Declaration of Independence, shout 'Manse for the Republic of Korea,' and hold a protest march.