Namdaemun

Namdaemun, originally uploaded by dsoutherton.

South Korean landmark Sungnyemun, or Namdaemun (Great South Gate) once was a one of the Seoul's four old fortress gates. For centuries it served as both an entrance to the capital city and a site for trade and commerce.

Sungnyemun, built in the seventh year of the Chosun King Taejo’s reign (1398), is the oldest wooden structure in Seoul, but the surrounding fortress walls were removed in 1899 to build a electric trolley route.

After extensive urban development in the area during the Japanese Colonial period (1910-1945), the gate became unapproachable to visitors.

That has recently changed. The construction of a new plaza surrounding the gate means is easily accessible on foot by five crosswalks.

After planting grass and trees in front of the gate, the city named the space Sungnyemun Square and announced it would open it to the public. The crosswalks will make it easy to walk from the plaza to the highly popular Namdaemun Market.