Did you know why North Gate (장안문) became the main gate of Hwasung?

[이상원 (Smile Lee)]

It is common in Korea that all the main gates of palaces and fortresses are heading to the south. If you will go to 경복궁 palace, you can find the main gate, 광화문 that is facing to the south and you can do the same one for 창덕궁 palace as well.

However Hwasung has it’s main gate to the north called 장안문 besides its south gate, 팔달문 is not a main gate that is completely unsual.

( the map of Hwasung: you can identify 장안문 gate in the topside of this map (north) 

The reason is very simple and clear. 정조 the great is located in 한양 (seoul) where is around 40 km away to the north from Hwasung in Suwon.

Whenever 정조, the great visited Hwasung, His 1st destination would always be 장안문, the north gate. He passed through the north gate to go to 화성 행궁. Therefore all the ministries and retainers in Hwasung stood in front of 장안문 to welcome him.

장안문 is not only the main gate of Hwasung but also the biggest one in Korea.

[michelle]

감사합니다 .