Originally called Heunginjimun, Dongdaemun Gate (East Main Gate) is Treasure No.1. Dongdaemun Gate was built by King Taejo in 1396, renovated by King Danjong in 1453, and its present structure was built by King Gojong in 1869. Apparently people started calling the gate Heunginjimun from King Sejo’s (1455~1468) reign. Although the gate is generally known as Dongdaemun Gate, many people still call it Heunginjimun with the intention of preserving its old heritage.
The most interesting characteristic of Dongdaemun Gate is that it has a specially built outer wall, usually a half-moon shape, that surrounds a city wall. The area where Seoul Palace was built was a low region, and difficult to defend from invaders, so they built this wall to counter such disadvantages. You can see that the gate was made with considerable consideration to the surrounding geography. The ongseong rocks have different colors, and these are from the many renovations the gate went through.
At the center of the stone reinforcement wall is the Hongyemun, above it is a middle floor composed of five sections at the front and two sections on each side, and the roof is in the Ujingak style. On the eaves of the roof there are Japsang statues, which resemble animals and are said to drive away evil spirits. The structure of Dongdaemun Gate has a very intricate and effeminate side to it, and there is strong emphasis on decoration, which show the architectural style of the latter day Joseon Period very well.
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