Seouls Sungnyemun (South) Gate This national treasure, sometimes called The Great South Gate...
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![Page 1: Seouls Sungnyemun (South) Gate This national treasure, sometimes called The Great South Gate (Namdaemun), was constructed in 1398 and rebuilt in 1448.](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022051819/5519bb505503466f578b499b/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Seoul’s Sungnyemun (South) Gate
This national treasure, sometimes called “The
Great South Gate” (Namdaemun), was constructed in 1398 and rebuilt in 1448. One of the entrances to Seoul, it was the
largest gate in Korea.
Unfortunately, only four months after I
visited Seoul, some old demented man burned
the gate down (February 2008).
![Page 2: Seouls Sungnyemun (South) Gate This national treasure, sometimes called The Great South Gate (Namdaemun), was constructed in 1398 and rebuilt in 1448.](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022051819/5519bb505503466f578b499b/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
The huge gate towers over the surrounding park and nestles in and among the skyscrapers of the modern city, which has grown considerably over the years.
![Page 3: Seouls Sungnyemun (South) Gate This national treasure, sometimes called The Great South Gate (Namdaemun), was constructed in 1398 and rebuilt in 1448.](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022051819/5519bb505503466f578b499b/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Changingof the Guard
Several times a day, Korean guards, dressed in
traditional ceremonial uniforms, march from a
building across the street to their positions in front of the huge South Gate.
Like the Guards at Buckingham Palace in
London, these guards are stoic and never smile
during their “watch” at the gate—even as tourists snap photos up close.
![Page 4: Seouls Sungnyemun (South) Gate This national treasure, sometimes called The Great South Gate (Namdaemun), was constructed in 1398 and rebuilt in 1448.](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022051819/5519bb505503466f578b499b/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
The Watchman (Pasu) Ceremony, conducted daily by the guards, was considered just as important as the guarding of the Royal Palace.
![Page 5: Seouls Sungnyemun (South) Gate This national treasure, sometimes called The Great South Gate (Namdaemun), was constructed in 1398 and rebuilt in 1448.](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022051819/5519bb505503466f578b499b/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
The guards would march, then reposition themselves periodically.
![Page 6: Seouls Sungnyemun (South) Gate This national treasure, sometimes called The Great South Gate (Namdaemun), was constructed in 1398 and rebuilt in 1448.](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022051819/5519bb505503466f578b499b/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Left: the Chief of the guards; right: one of several guards in the small unit.
![Page 7: Seouls Sungnyemun (South) Gate This national treasure, sometimes called The Great South Gate (Namdaemun), was constructed in 1398 and rebuilt in 1448.](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022051819/5519bb505503466f578b499b/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
The two-layered structure sat upon a huge hill and
large concrete bricks.
![Page 8: Seouls Sungnyemun (South) Gate This national treasure, sometimes called The Great South Gate (Namdaemun), was constructed in 1398 and rebuilt in 1448.](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022051819/5519bb505503466f578b499b/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Walking “under” the portal of the gate, very old wooden beams were brightly
painted with a dragon and flowers.
![Page 9: Seouls Sungnyemun (South) Gate This national treasure, sometimes called The Great South Gate (Namdaemun), was constructed in 1398 and rebuilt in 1448.](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022051819/5519bb505503466f578b499b/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
It was a gorgeous (but hot and humid) day; some local Koreans
and a lot of tourists would sit and ponder the huge structure.