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Changdeokgung was the most favored palace of many [[Joseon]] princes and retained many elements dating from the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea]] period that were not incorporated in the more contemporary [[Gyeongbokgung]]. One such element is the fact that the buildings of Changdeokgung blend with the natural topography of the site instead of imposing themselves upon it. It, like the other Five Grand Palaces in Seoul, was heavily damaged during the [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese occupation]] of Korea (1910–1945). Currently, only about 30% of the pre-Japanese structures of the East Palace Complex (Changdeokgung together with [[Changgyeonggung]]) survive.<ref>[http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20090227022009 [서울신문] “일제가 궁궐 이렇게 훼손” 설계도면 첫 공개]. Seoul.co.kr (2009-02-27). Retrieved on 2013-07-12.</ref>
==History==
[[File:Donggwol-do.jpg|left|thumb|350px|''[[Donggwoldo]]'', the landscape painting of Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung]]
Changdeokgung was the second palace after [[Gyeongbokgung]] which had been established in 1395 as a primary palace. In the midst of strife for the throne between princes and vassals, authority of Gyeongbokgung was deteriorated. [[Jeongjong of Joseon|King Jeongjong]] enthroned by [[Taejong of Joseon|Prince Jeong-an (Yi Bang-won, later became King Taejong)]] moved the capital to [[Kaesong|Gaegyeong]], the one of [[Goryeo Dynasty]], again in 1400 on the pretext of superior geographical features of it, in fact, in order to avert the power struggle. King Taejong (Yi Bang-won) soon taking over the throne returned to [[Hanseong]](present-day [[Seoul]]) had a new palace named ''Changdeokgung'' instead of Gyeongbokgung because he had killed his half brothers in Gyeongbokgung whose construction was led by [[Jeong Do-jeon]], the king's rival before. Construction of Changdeok Palace began in 1405, and was completed in 1412. [[Seonjo of Joseon|King Seonjo]] expanded the palace grounds by about 500,000 square meters, including ''Huwon'' (see below).
The Palace was burnt to the ground during the [[Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598)|Japanese invasion]] in 1592 and reconstructed in 1609 by King Seonjo and [[Gwanghaegun of Joseon|King Gwanghaegun]]. The palace burnt down again in 1623 because of [[Injo of Joseon|King Injo]] a political Revolt against [[Gwanghaegun]]. The palace was also attacked by the [[Manchu]] [[Qing]] but throughout its history of reconstruction and repair has remained faithful to its original design. Changdeokgung was the site of the royal court and the seat of government until 1868, when the neighboring [[Gyeongbokgung]] was rebuilt. Korea's last Emperor, [[Sunjong of Korean Empire|Sunjong]] lived here until his death in 1926. Other members of the former Royal family were permitted to live in parts of the palace such as former Crown Prince [[Yi Un]] who lived in the Nakseon- jae (hall) Buildings with his wife [[Bangja, Crown Princess of Korea|Princess Bangja]] and sister Princess Deokhye until their respective deaths; this arrangement was periodically interrupted by differing Presidential orders supporting and objecting to their use of the historic facilities. The son of Yi-Un, Yi-Gu also lived in the Palace for variant intervals prior to moving to semi-permanent residence in [[Tokyo]] due to mental health issues having been unable to fully adapt to the new Korea.
Today there are 13 buildings remaining on the palace grounds and 28 pavilions in the gardens, occupying 110 acres (45 hectares) in all and the area is designated as Historical Site No. 122. Buildings of note include Donhwamun (built in 1412, rebuilt in 1607, with a copper bell weighing 9 [[short ton]]s or 8 [[metric ton]]s), Injeongjeon (main hall), Seongjeongjeon (auxiliary office in the main hall), Huijeongdang (the king's private residence, later used as a conference hall), Daejojeon (living quarters), and Nakseon-jae.
== Structures ==
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