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The Paldalmun Gate in South Korea is a part of another historical relic
known by the name of Hwaseong Fortress. The fortress was constructed by king Jeongjo
in memory of his father Sado Seja who became a victim of a political rivalry.
Unable to bear the tortures inflicted by king Yeongjo he committed suicide. The
fortress took two years to complete from 1794 to 1796. The Hwaseong Fortress has
four gates among which the Paldalmun Gate is considered one of the largest. The
fortress was declared a World Heritage Site in the year 1997 by UNESCO. The three
other gates are named Hwaseomun, Janganmun and Changnyongmun.
There are four gates to enter the Hwaseong Fortress. The northern gate is known
as the famous Paldalmun Gate in South Korea.
Features of Paldalmun Gate in South Korea
- The Paldalmun Gate is positioned in the southern part of the Hwaseong
Fortress which is an immensely important national treasure of South Korea.
- In order to protect the Paldalmun Gate from falling, a crescent shaped
wall has been built to provide additional support.
- The right wall of the Paldalmun Gate has a nameplate on which there
is enlisted all the names of the people associated in building the gate.
- The Paldalmun Gate was unfortunately burnt down during the Korean War.
What now exists is a reconstruction of the Gate built in 1975.
- The Paldalmun Gate is surrounded by small fortresses meant to house
guards with the duty to protect the gate. The other three gates of the fortress
also enjoyed the same privilege.
- What sets the Paldalmun Gate apart from the other
three is that it is located in the middle of the busy city. The area had already
been commercialized before the reconstruction of the gate took place.
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