From a barren patch of land to a vibrant green space, Janggunbong Neighborhood Park in Seoul has quite the tale to tell. Initially, this area wasn’t a park at all. It was the site of the Jangchungdan Shrine, built in 1900 by Emperor Gojong to honor his assassinated wife, Empress Myeongseong, and the brave soldiers who defended her. Janggunbong Neighborhood Park, as we know it today, emerged from the ashes of this shrine, which was tragically destroyed during the Korean War. In 1919, amidst the turmoil of the Japanese colonial period, this space was transformed into a park. A rather controversial statue dedicated to Japanese soldiers who died in the 1932 January 28 incident was briefly erected here, only to be swiftly torn down following Korea’s liberation in 1945. Janggunbong Neighborhood Park bears the scars of history, but it also embodies resilience. The shrine dedicated to Empress Myeongseong was eventually rebuilt. In a fascinating twist, the historic Supyogyo Bridge, originally built in 1420 and a part of the Cheonggyecheon Stream, was moved to Janggunbong Neighborhood Park in 1959. Along with it came a supyo, a device used to measure water levels. Today, both the bridge and the supyo are recognized as Tangible Cultural Heritages of Seoul. Janggunbong Neighborhood Park isn’t just a place of historical significance. It’s a living, breathing space where the past intertwines with the present. The park boasts monuments commemorating the March First Movement and the Korean independence movement, as well as statues honoring independence activist Yu Gwan-sun and Buddhist reformer Han Yong-un. As you stroll along its paths, you’ll discover a children’s baseball field, a tennis court, a swimming pool, and a tranquil pine tree forest with inviting walking trails. So, the next time you find yourself at Janggunbong Neighborhood Park, take a moment to appreciate the layers of history beneath your feet, from a shrine built for an empress to a park that honors a nation’s struggle for freedom.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to