Tapgol Park
Encyclopedia
Tapgol Park, formerly Pagoda Park, is a small (19,599 m²/23,440 yd²/4.84 acre) public park located at 97 Jongno-gil (street), Seoul
, South Korea
. This park was once a site of Wongaksa (Buddhist Temple). The word tap means "pagoda
", and the park gets its name from the Wongaksa Pagoda
, a 10 storied stone pagoda (National Treasure
No.2) located in the park.
Tapgol Park is historically important as the site of the origin of the March 1st Movement
1919, an important part of the Korean independence movement
as the first location for the reading of the Declaration of Independence.
It was previously the site of a 15th century Buddhist temple, and a 10 storied stone pagoda and a few relics of the temple still can be seen in the park. It was organized as a garden by John McLeavy Brown
, the Irish advisor to provincial subdivision in 1897, and opened to the public in 1920.
There are many statues and monuments in the park, dedicated to various patriots and victims of Japanese brutality. There are a number of bas-relief statues representing Korean patriots, the Declaration of Independence Monument, and a poem by Han Yong-un
.
One of the monuments in the park is the Monument of Wongaksa built in 1471 to record the founding of Wongaksa (temple) in 1465. On the front is an inscription composed by Kim Suon with the calligraphy done by Seong Im. On the back is found an inscription composed by Seo Geo Jeong with the calligraphy done by Jeong Nam Jong. The turtle shaped
base is constructed from granite and the body is cut from marble. The monument measures 1.3 meters/4.3 feet wide and stands 4.9 meters/16.2 feet in height. Two elaborately carved intertwined dragons rising toward the sky holding a Buddhist gem reside on the top of the monument. Monument of Wongaksa is Treasure #3.
As an important place in recent Korean history, it is a popular place for demonstrations of various types. It was the designated termination of the Grand Peace March for Democracy on June 24th 1986 that led to the acceptance of free elections by President Chun Doo-whan of South Korea. It is served by Jongno 3-ga Station
on Lines 1
, 3
and 5
of the Seoul Subway
.
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. This park was once a site of Wongaksa (Buddhist Temple). The word tap means "pagoda
Pagoda
A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist,...
", and the park gets its name from the Wongaksa Pagoda
Wongaksa Pagoda
Wongaksa Pagoda is a twelve metre high ten-storey marble pagoda in South Korea, once on the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung palace but now held at Seoul's Tapgol Park in a protective glass case...
, a 10 storied stone pagoda (National Treasure
National treasures of South Korea
The National Treasures of Korea are a numbered set of tangible treasures, artifacts, sites, and buildings which are recognized by South Korea as having exceptional artistic, cultural and historical value...
No.2) located in the park.
Tapgol Park is historically important as the site of the origin of the March 1st Movement
March 1st Movement
The March 1st Movement, or Samil Movement, was one of the earliest public displays of Korean resistance during the occupation of the Korean Empire by Japan. The name refers to an event that occurred on March 1, 1919, hence the movement's name, literally meaning "Three-One Movement" or "March First...
1919, an important part of the Korean independence movement
Korean independence movement
The Korean independence movement grew out of the Japanese colonial rule of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945. After the Japanese surrendered, Korea became independent; that day is now an annual holiday called Gwangbokjeol in South Korea, and Chogukhaebangŭi nal in North Korea.-Background:In...
as the first location for the reading of the Declaration of Independence.
It was previously the site of a 15th century Buddhist temple, and a 10 storied stone pagoda and a few relics of the temple still can be seen in the park. It was organized as a garden by John McLeavy Brown
John McLeavy Brown
Sir John McLeavy Brown, CMG, born Magheragall, Lisburn, Ireland, November 27 1835 - April 6 1926.After attending Queen's University Belfast and Trinity College Dublin, McLeavy Brown, a lawyer by trade, joined the Customs Service in April 1873...
, the Irish advisor to provincial subdivision in 1897, and opened to the public in 1920.
There are many statues and monuments in the park, dedicated to various patriots and victims of Japanese brutality. There are a number of bas-relief statues representing Korean patriots, the Declaration of Independence Monument, and a poem by Han Yong-un
Manhae
Manhae was a twentieth century Korean Buddhist reformer and poet. Manhae was his pen name; his birth name was Han Yu-cheon, but he is universally known by the name he was given by his meditation instructor in 1907, Han Yong-un Manhae was born in northern Gyeongsang province in what is today South...
.
One of the monuments in the park is the Monument of Wongaksa built in 1471 to record the founding of Wongaksa (temple) in 1465. On the front is an inscription composed by Kim Suon with the calligraphy done by Seong Im. On the back is found an inscription composed by Seo Geo Jeong with the calligraphy done by Jeong Nam Jong. The turtle shaped
Bixi (tortoise)
Bixi , also called guifu or baxia , is a stone tortoise, used as a pedestal for a stele or tablet. Tortoise-mounted stelae have been traditionally used in the funerary complexes of Chinese emperors and other dignitaries. Later, they have also been used to commemorate an important event, such as...
base is constructed from granite and the body is cut from marble. The monument measures 1.3 meters/4.3 feet wide and stands 4.9 meters/16.2 feet in height. Two elaborately carved intertwined dragons rising toward the sky holding a Buddhist gem reside on the top of the monument. Monument of Wongaksa is Treasure #3.
As an important place in recent Korean history, it is a popular place for demonstrations of various types. It was the designated termination of the Grand Peace March for Democracy on June 24th 1986 that led to the acceptance of free elections by President Chun Doo-whan of South Korea. It is served by Jongno 3-ga Station
Jongno 3-ga Station
Jongno 3-ga Station is an underground station on lines 1, 3 and 5 of the Seoul Subway in South Korea.-History:The station opened to Line 1 services on August 15, 1974...
on Lines 1
Seoul Subway Line 1
Seoul Subway Line 1 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, formerly known as the Korea National Railroad of Seoul, is an operation channel which links central Seoul, South Korea to Soyosan Station in the northeast, Incheon in the southwest, and Asan via Suwon in the south. This line covers a large part...
, 3
Seoul Subway Line 3
Seoul Subway Line 3 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway is an operation system which connects Goyang, northwestern Seoul to the city center, Gangnam, and southeastern Seoul. Construction began in 1980, and most of the current line opened over two stages in 1985, along with Brother subway Line 4...
and 5
Seoul Subway Line 5
Seoul Subway Line 5 of the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation, dubbed the purple line, is a long line crossing from the west to the east across the Seoul National Capital Area, South Korea...
of the Seoul Subway
Seoul Metropolitan Subway
The Seoul Metropolitan Subway or Metropolitan Subway in Seoul, in Seoul, South Korea, is one of the most heavily used rapid transit systems in the world, with well over 8 million trips daily on the system's thirteen lines...
.
See also
- JongnoJongnoJongno is one of the oldest major east-west thoroughfares in central Seoul, South Korea, connecting Sejongno to Dongdaemun. It remains one of Seoul's most important financial and cultural areas to this day...
- Independence Park
- List of parks in Seoul