Jeonggwanheon Pavilion

Deoksugung Palace
Seoul, Korea (Palace Map)

Jeonggwanheon, situated behind the Emperor's residence, was built in 1900 by a Russian¹ architect; it is the first European-style building to have been constructed within a Korean royal palace. The Emperor used it for relaxation - drinking tea, listening to music, etc. - much as a party gazebo would be used in the West.

The spandrels above the arches are decorated with traditional symbols of good luck, such as the bat in this photo.

¹The connection with Russia came about because the Russians had sheltered Emperor Gojong (then only King Gojong) in 1896, following the murder of Queen Myeongseong. The anti-Japanese alliance between Korea and Russia continued after Gojong returned to Deoksugung and proclaimed himself Emperor (1897). Indeed, the Jeonggwanheon was furnished with a secret passageway that led straight to the Russian Embassy.