Namsangol Hanok Village, Open-air village with traditional houses in Pil-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Namsangol Hanok Village is a group of traditional Korean wooden houses, called hanok, gathered in the Pil-dong neighborhood of Seoul at the base of Namsan Mountain. The five houses date from the Joseon era and represent different social ranks, from military officers to nobles and relatives of the royal family.
The houses that now form the village originally stood in various parts of Seoul and were relocated here to save them from demolition. This decision was made by the city in the 1990s, when Seoul began renewing many old neighborhoods for modern development projects.
Visitors can try traditional archery or watch performances of classical Korean music and dance inside the village. On some weekends, a historical wedding ceremony in the Joseon style is staged there, giving a direct look at old customs.
Entry to the village is free, and it is easily reached from a nearby subway station. Since the site is outdoors, visiting on a clear day makes it easier to walk through the houses and gardens at a comfortable pace.
One of the houses in the village belonged to the parents of Queen Yun, the wife of King Sunjong, the last monarch of the Joseon dynasty. Another house belonged to Yun Taekyeong, a senior official who was the king's father-in-law, meaning two properties on the site connect directly to the same royal family.
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