National Palace Museum of Korea facts for kids
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| Established | September 1908 |
|---|---|
| Location | Sajikno 34 (Sejongno), Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea |
| Visitors | 1,513,000 (2016) |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul |
국립고궁박물관
|
| Hanja |
國立古宮博物館
|
| Revised Romanization | Gungnip gogung bangmulgwan |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kungnip kokung pangmulgwan |
The National Palace Museum of Korea is a special museum in Seoul, South Korea. It's located right inside Gyeongbokgung Palace. This museum is all about showing off the amazing history and culture of the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire. It helps people learn about the royal families of Korea through their treasures and everyday items.
Contents
History of the Museum
The museum first opened its doors in September 1908. It was called the "Korean Imperial Museum" back then. Its first home was in Changgyeonggung Palace. In November 1909, it welcomed visitors for the first time.
However, in April 1938, during a time when Japan ruled Korea, the museum's name was changed. It became known as the "Museum of Yi dynasty."
After Korea became free in March 1946, the museum got a new name again: "Deoksugung Museum." In 1991, the Cultural Heritage Administration moved the museum to the Stone Hall (Seokjojeon) inside Deoksugung Palace. Finally, in 2005, the museum moved to a brand new building inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, where it is today.
What You Can See: The Collection
The National Palace Museum of Korea has a huge collection! It holds over 40,000 items and royal treasures. These come from the palaces of the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire. Among these, 14 items are so important they are called National Treasures of South Korea.
The museum shows many different parts of royal life. You can see records, items from state ceremonies, and learn about palace buildings. There are also displays about royal clothing, daily life, education, and culture. You can even see paintings and musical instruments from the dynasty's time.
One special item is the royal seal of King Gojong of Joseon. This seal was used for his personal letters to leaders in other countries after 1903. It went missing during Japanese rule. Luckily, it was found again in 2009 from a Korean collector in the United States.
In March 2021, the museum also created a cool art display at Incheon Airport. It features eight pieces of digital art. These artworks show traditional Korean themes and cultural elements to welcome visitors to Korea.
Permanent Exhibitions
The museum has many interesting permanent displays that you can explore:
- Royal Symbols and Records
- State Rites (important ceremonies)
- Joseon Science
- Palace Architecture (how the palaces were built)
- Royal Life
- Royal Childbirth and Education
- Royal Scholarly Culture (how royals studied)
- Korean Empire
- Royal Court Paintings
- Royal Court Music
- Royal Palanquins (special chairs used for carrying royals)
- Joseon Water Clock
Special Collection: Uigwe Books
The museum also has a very special collection of 1,200 historical books. Among these are 150 copies of Uigwe from the Joseon Dynasty. These books are like detailed guides for royal events. They show how important ceremonies, like weddings or funerals, were done.
These specific Uigwe books were taken in 1922, during the time Japan ruled Korea. They were returned to Korea in December 2011. To celebrate their return, the museum held a special exhibition. These books tell the story of royal rituals for King Gojong and King Sunjong. They were the last two emperors before Korea was taken over in 1910.
See also
In Spanish: Museo del palacio nacional de Corea para niños
- List of museums in Seoul
- Gyeongbok Palace
