Ch'angdok-Gung: The Palace of Illustrious Virtue.

Ch'angdok-gung Palace is situated roughly directly North of chongno sam ga, or east of Kyongbok-gung Palace. It really is a must see, although one can only do so in a guided tour, which lasts about 1 and a half hours. Unlike Kyongbok-gung Palace, and to some extent, Toksu-gung Palace, Ch'angdok-gung Palace survived (largely) the onslaught of the Japanese invasion under Hideyoshi Toyotomi in 1592, which saw the other palaces ravaged. Moreover what was destroyed in Ch'angdok-gung, was rebuilt in 1611. Which makes Ch'angdok-gung Palace a bona fide relic of the Chosan  (or Yi) Dynasty.

A picture Showing a gate typical of those dotted all around Ch'angdok-gung Palace. Each gate is covered by ornate ceramic tile eaves, and eact gate ( or Mun) itself is constructed of thick lacquered wood. This picture shows a little of the brick stratigraphy, that can be seen all over the palace, and the others of the period. There are larger bricks that give way to smaller ones the latter  support a tiny roof on the wall. Also this picture shows, how garden orientated this palace is.

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