The Salgoji Bridge (살곶이다리).

[조영희]

This is Sagloji-dari(bridge살곶이다리 ). It is one of the national treasures of Korea.

It is the oldest bidge of Chosun Dynasty,which is almost 600 years old.

And this old bridge is still being used these days.
This  Bridge is at 76 meters the longest existing bridge from the Joseon Period. 

Constructed between 1420, the second year of King Sejong’s reign,

and 1483, the 14th year of King Seongjong’s, it linked Seoul to points southeast.

Sagloji-dari or bridge located proximally to the Cheonggye-Jungnang intersection

and is the longest bridge remained amongst bridges of Joseon Period.

The name is originated as the place used be called Salgoji,

and referring to 「Hankyong Sikrak」Kwonrangjo, its official title is Jaebangyo.

The place was famous for a hunting site of Kings, and it was the passage to tomb sites where King Seongjong, Jungjong,

Taejong and Sunjo were enshrined. However, the bridge was completely closed nearly 100 years

as the Great Prince Lee Ha-eung demolished almost half of the bridge to use the stone from the bridge

to building Kyongbok Palace.

Despite the length of time devoted to its construction it’s a very modest structure; there are no rails or any other decorations. 

The bridge’s construction consists of horizontal stone racks placed across rows of four stone pillars set upright

in the streambed.  Parts of the bridge washed away in a 1920 flood, but the structure was repaired in 1972. 

By that time, however, the Jungnyang had widened so it was necessary to add the concrete extension. 

Historical Site No. 160, the bridge bears two names. 

Its Chinese name is the Jeongot Bridge (전곶교), Salgoji being the pure Korean one. 

According to the plaque near the bridge, the name Salgoji derives

 from an anecdote about an arrow that King Taejo,

founder of the Joseon Dynasty, shot, which hit the pillar of the hut

where his son, the future King Taejong was staying

 ‘while the two were at odds,’ which is an awfully cordial way of putting

what very nearly amounts to filicide.
The bridge begin restoration and according to records,

measurements were approximately 20 cheoks (cheok-a Korea foot, approx. 6m) in width and 258 cheocks (approx. 78m) in length.

It was first constructed in Sejeong 4th year (1420)

to Seongjong 14 th year (1483).

The piers of this bridge were placed in four horizon rows

and 22 vertical columns, connected

using three poles across, then covered with flooring stones,

and secured on each end with long stone boards.

The pillar stones were secured with square-shaped bases,

which were sustained by more bases underwater.

The pillars were diamond shaped to reduce wave resistance.

This  area was known as Salgoji plain or Ttuk-seom.

Ttuk is a glottalized pronunciation of duk, a flag that signaled that the king would be passing through.

the king's hunting grounds, a military training camp and a ranch for court horses were located here.