Heungnyemun Gate of Gyeonghuigung Palace

Heungnyemun Gate is the main gate of Gyeonghuigung Palace. Originally, there were five gates to enter Gyeonghuigung Palace: the main gate Heungnyemun, Heungwonmun to the east, Sunguimun to the west, Gaeyangmun to the south, and Mudeokmun to the north. At the time of its construction, Gyeonghuigung Palace was built on a smaller scale following the system of Changgyeonggung Palace, and the main gate was also built as a single-story structure. The shallow hill near Gyeonghuigung Palace was called 'Yajugae,' a name derived from the legend that the calligraphy on the signboard of Heungnyemun was so masterful that it shone even at night, brightly illuminating the hill. Heungnyemun Gate was originally built east of Geumcheongyo Bridge, facing east toward Jongno at the current site of the Salvation Army Hall building. However, during the Japanese colonial period, as the road was expanded in 1915, Heungnyemun Gate was moved slightly back from its original location, and its direction was changed to face south, parallel to the road. In 1932, Heungnyemun Gate was relocated to be used as the main gate for the construction of Bakmunsa Temple, a Buddhist temple dedicated to Ito Hirobumi. After Korea's liberation, Bakmunsa Temple was abolished, and the site was used for the Yeongbingwan guesthouse and the Shilla Hotel, where Heungnyemun Gate also served as their main gate. In 1988, as part of the Gyeonghuigung Palace restoration project, the Seoul Metropolitan Government moved Heungnyemun Gate back to the Gyeonghuigung Palace site. It was relocated and restored to its current position, where the old Gaeyangmun Gate once stood, aiming to revive its historical significance as the main gate of the palace. Address: 55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Sinmunno 2-ga)