Is Sungnyemun Gate wheelchair accessible?

Visit details

Sungnyemun is the southern main gate of the Joseon capital city, at Namdaemun-ro 4-ga in Jung-gu, Seoul; because it stands on the south among the Four Gates, it is also called Namdaemun. It is a symbol of Seoul and the oldest surviving wooden building in the city, designated a National Treasure on December 20, 1962. It is the largest of Seoul’s Four Gates and is notable for a plaque whose characters are written vertically. It was first built in 1396 (the 5th year of King Taejo) and rebuilt in February 1398. A major repair was carried out in 1479 (the 10th year of King Seongjong); it was not damaged in the Imjin War or the Byeongja War and long served as the great gate of Hanseong. In 1907, under Japan’s army-dissolution order, it became a battle site, and the same year, when the Japanese crown prince visited Korea, the walls linked to Sungnyemun were torn down on the pretext that he could not bow his head to pass under the gate tower—a tragic history. In 2006 the gate, left standing alone without connected walls, was restored to its original appearance. On February 10, 2008, a fire burned part of the first-floor gate tower and destroyed the second-floor tower. After recovery work and research for restoration, a restoration ceremony was held on May 4, 2013, and the gate was opened again to the public. A rainbow-shaped arch (hongyemun) is set in a high stone platform, and on it stands a two-story pavilion five bays across the front and two bays on the side. The roof appears trapezoidal from the front; this form is called a hipped (ujingak) roof. The decorative bracketing that supports the eaves is in the dapo style, with brackets not only on the columns but between them; the curves are moderate and the joinery solid, showing the character of early Joseon well. According to Jibong yuseol, Grand Prince Yangnyeong, King Taejong’s eldest son, wrote the Sungnyemun plaque.

Hours: 09:00–18:00 (last admission 17:50)

Closed: Every Monday

Information: 02-779-8547

Address: Jung-gu Sejong-daero 40, Seoul

Official website: 비짓서울 https://korean.visitseoul.net