Cliffs, quarries and memories of a deposed queen
Climb the hill along the city wall north of Dongdaemun Gate and look east. On the far side of the valley, you'll notice houses clustered around a crescent-shaped cliff. If you venture into the valley beyond it, you'll find more of these oddly curved, stark granite cliffs jutting out of the hillsides. These are not geological formations, but remnants of a time when the hills were used as quarries.…
In the Dongdaemun area of Seoul, a valley reveals a series of unique, crescent-shaped granite cliffs. These are not natural formations, but rather the remnants of a quarrying industry that operated during two significant periods in Korean history. The first phase of quarrying commenced during the reconstruction of Gyeongbok Palace in the 1860s, a time when the stone was sought after for its durability and aesthetic appeal.
This practice persisted through the colonial era, with the granite being utilized in the construction of numerous landmarks, including the Bank of Korea, Seoul Station, and the former Government-General Building that once stood at Gwanghwamun.
While a temple in the vicinity boasts a cave-like grotto cut from a natural cliff face, another, Beopwang Temple, houses a place of worship inside a tunnel excavated from the hillside. It is highly probable that this tunnel was constructed by the Japanese during World War II. Recently, a film titled "The King's Warden" was released, which tells the story of King Danjong, a young monarch who was deposed and subsequently exiled.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Cliffs, quarries and memories of a deposed queen koreatimes.co.kr
