Thursday, December 06, 2012

Geumcheongyo Bridge, Changdeokgung Palace



The oldest stone bridge in Seoul, the Geumcheongyo bridge was built in 1411 over the auspicious stream Geumcheon. This stream demarcates the outside from the inside of the palace. Like the area of the palace leading up to the main hall, it had three lanes, with the middle one set aside for the king. Two arches of the bridge are met by stone creatures. On the northern side of the bridge is a Hyeonmu (black tortoise) and on the south, a haetae (mythical guardian beast).  Faces of guardian animals protrude from just below the railing, meant to ward off evil spirits.

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