Hwangudan

Hwangudan (Korean: 환구단) was a shrine complex that still partially stands in Jung District, Seoul, South Korea.

The complex consisted of two main buildings: a coronation site and Hwanggungu (황궁우; 皇穹宇; lit.

The coronation site was demolished by the Japanese colonial government and replaced with the Josun Railway Hotel (조선철도호텔).

The complex has gone by a number of other names, including Wongudan (원구단; 圜丘壇), Jecheondan (제천단; 祭天壇) and Wondan (원단; 圜壇).

[8][9] In preparation to ascend the throne, on October 11, 1897,[8] King Gojong began to perform the full sacrificial rites for the first time in centuries.

[10][4] The historic Korean newspaper The Independent published the following about the occasion:[6][a] Beginning at 2:30 p.m. on the 11th, battalions of soldiers were tightly arranged on each side of the road from Gyeongunggung (Deoksugung) to Hwangudan.

After arriving at Hwangudan, they inspected the many-colored objects to be used for the ceremony, and returned to the palace around 4 p.m... [It rained heavily on the morning of the twelfth, but people faithfully performed their duties].

At 2 a.m. on the 12th, the Emperor arrived at the shrine again in high spirits, performed jesa to heaven, and announced his ascendency to the imperial throne.

[12][13] Despite the celebrations, Korea was only nominally independent; it was then quickly drifting under the influence of the Empire of Japan, which eventually formally colonized it in 1910.

[13][12] The site has gone by a number of other names over time, including Wongudan (원구단; 圜丘壇), Jecheondan (제천단; 祭天壇) and Wondan (원단; 圜壇).

As a symbolic gesture, civilians were invited to audition for various roles in the ceremony, and were selected to play officials, guards, palanquin bearers, and the royal family.

[14] In addition, three stone drums (석고단; 石鼓壇; Seokgodan) that feature dragon decorations are nearby Hwanggungu.

An imperial procession departing from Deoksugung (1899)
Portrait of Gojong wearing golden dragon robes
Hwanggungu, the only major building of the complex still standing (2015)
In this photo published by American traveler Burton Holmes , the platforms of the coronation site are more clearly visible. (1899)