Today in Mariestory, we went to the Unhyun Palace. It was the house of Heung-seon-dae-won-gun, the father of King Gojong. King Gojong was the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon dynasty. He became a king when he was 12, because King Cheol-jong died young and didn't have any sons. He changed the name of Joseon to Dae-han-je-guk, and made himself be called Emperor. Queen Min(Meong-seong-hwang-hoo)is the wife of Gojong. She wanted to modernize Korea, when Heung-seon-dae-won-gun disagreed. Because of that, they were not very friendly with each other. She was close with Russia, so the Japanese, who were fighting Russia, murdered her and burned her body. This crime made Joseon people to strongly resist to Japan.

Sujiksa is on the right of the front gate. It was a place used by guards and the servants. Noan-dang is the Sa-rang-chae(where men lived), and it means "living comfortably in old age."Heung-seon-dae-won-gun stayed here and met guests, or discussed political issues. Norak-dang was the Anchae(where women lived), and was the central and the largest building in Unhyun Palace. This building was used when Queen Min received lessons to become queen and for the marrige of King Gojong and Queen Min. It is also the building where the Heung-seon-dae-won-gun died. Iro-dang is the place where Heung-seon-dae-won-gun's wife stayed. It was because his family could not use Norak-dang anymore.

There are two famous gates at the Unhyun Palace. One is the lofty gate, and it was built high to represent the pride of the noblemen. A sedan chair and a horse could get into the house through the gate. Another gate is called the lower gate. It was built low to represent modesty because you must lower you neck to get through the gate.

On the wall of Unhyun Palace, there are Chinese characters for good fortune, blessing, and decoration. It means 'As the shiny, watery spring day. Have a long life and good fortune, with health. May all this last as long as possible.'

-Thank you -