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| South Korea |
| Seoul |
| Donggureung
Tombs (1407 - 1904) |
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Donggureung (the east nine
tombs) was the burial ground of some of the joseon dynasty (1392
- 1910) kings and queens. Although there are nine mounds visible,
there are actually 6 kings, 9 queens and a posthumously declared
king and queen buried here. The earliest tomb was constructed
here in 1403 and the latest in 1848. One historical highlight is
the tomb of the dynastic founder King Taejo. All of the tombs are
constructed in the same genearly style, with a three-part
sequence that includes a ceremonial gate at the front, a T-shaped
sacrificial hall at the center, and a larg mound in the rear, the
top of which is covered with smaller mounds and stonework.
Here I present pictures from
four of the tombs:
1: Hyeonneung, which is the
tomb of king Munjong (5th king) and queen Gwon. The raised
walkway leading to the shrine has an extra right-angle turn. In
addition to the usual stone fence, King Munjong's mond has a 12
sided retaining wall inside the fence.
2: Geenwonneung is the tomb
of king Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty. Taejo
originally was known as Yi Seonggye, founded the dynasty in 1392.
He resigned from 1392-1398 and went into retirement. At his death
in 1408 his fifth son King Taejong constructed his tomb. Unlike
the other tombs, the stone horses stand directly behind, rather
than beside the civilian and militay leaders.
3: Gyeongneung is the tomb
of King Heonjong, the 24th ruler of the Joseon dynasty, is the
sole example of a tomb with three mouds enclosed inside the same
wall. Heonjong became king at the age 7 and married queen Kim at
age 11. Queen Kim died when the king was 16. At 18 he married
Queen Hong. Heonjong reigned for 15 years (1834-49) and died at
age 22. Both queens are buried in separate mounds to the right of
the kings tomb. Queen Hong was the last member of the royal
family to be buried at Donggureung. She died in 1904 at the age
73.
4: Hyereung is the tomb of
queen Sim, the first queen of King Gyeongjong, the 20th ruler of
the Choson dynasty (ruled 1720-24) Gyeongjong was the son of the
infamous concubine Jang Huibin. He suffered lengthy illness
during his reign as a result of harm in 1718 before her husband
became king.
Click on the
thumbnails to have a larger version
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