GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

Gangneung-daedohobu Government Office, designated as Historic Site No. 388, appears imposing amid the modern buildings in downtown Gangneung. Initially built as a guesthouse during the Goryeo Dynasty, it was where central government officials stayed during a visit to Gangneung from the Goryeo Dynasty until the Joseon Dynasty. During the Japanese colonial era, most of the buildings were destroyed, but the original appearance of the site is being gradually restored through restoration projects carried out since 2000.

The first thing you will see when you visit this place is the Main Gate of Imyeonggwan Guesthouse (National Treasure No. 51), the sole national treasure in Gangneung. The Main Gate of Imyeonggwan Guesthouse is the oldest guesthouse gate present, and it survived the demolition of government offices during the Japanese occupation period.

It is an octagonal gate with a beautiful roof, and although it is small, it provides a glimpse of the aesthetics of wooden architecture dating from the Goryeo Dynasty. It features the largest “baeheullim gidung (entasis, or convex, column)” among all wooden buildings in Korea, with a column that is wider in the middle than at the ends, giving it a bloated or convex appearance, that compensates for the optical illusion that occurs when a column is completely straight. The signboard is considered invaluable as the name was personally handwritten by King Gongmin of the Goryeo Dynasty.

Chilsadang Shrine (Hall of Seven Deities), located on the far left of Daedohobu Government Office, is a building that has been preserved along with Gaeksamun Gate and designated as Gangwon-do Regional Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 7. Chilsadang was built during the Joseon Dynasty.

There is a flower pot between the front columns of Chilsadang, and the bottom is in the shape of fish. There are a total of seven fish shapes at Chilsadang, which are fun to seek and find.

Gangneung-daebohobu Government Office is more than a cultural heritage site with historical value, as it is a lively place that hosts a wide variety of cultural events such as the Gangneung Culture Night and the Hello World Festival, thereby establishing itself as an iconic cultural platform in Gangneung.