SEOUL, April 21 (Korea Bizwire) — Jongmyo Jeongjeon, the main hall of Korea’s royal ancestral shrine and a pinnacle of Joseon-era architecture, has reopened to the public following its most extensive restoration in three decades.
On April 20, the Cultural Heritage Administration unveiled the newly refurbished structure, marking the end of a five-year restoration project that began in 2020 to address aging infrastructure and structural concerns.
The restoration aimed to preserve the sanctity and architectural integrity of the shrine, which symbolizes the legitimacy of the Joseon Dynasty and stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.
Jeongjeon is the spiritual heart of Jongmyo, housing 49 ancestral tablets of Joseon kings and queens across 19 chambers. Originally built in 1395, it was destroyed during the Japanese invasions of the late 16th century and rebuilt in 1608 under King Gwanghaegun. Subsequent expansions under Kings Yeongjo and Heonjong brought it to its current scale.
A focal point of the latest restoration was the replacement of the roof’s mismatched tiles. Approximately 70,000 handmade tiles, 33% lighter than the previous factory-made ones, were installed to correct structural imbalance and achieve visual harmony.
Master tile artisan Kim Chang-dae and master roofer Lee Geun-bok, both holders of national intangible cultural heritage titles, led the traditional crafting process.
Other improvements included removing outdated cement mortar and replacing it with handmade bricks for the courtyard, repainting decorative elements with traditional materials, and reinforcing the stone platform surrounding the building. Termite damage discovered during the process led to additional structural interventions, particularly in the rear and western wings.
The entire renovation cost around 20 billion won (approximately $15 million). During the restoration, researchers confirmed the use of timber from the Gwanghaegun period through dendrochronology analysis, validating historical records of the shrine’s reconstruction.
Notably, a sangnyangmun—a ceremonial inscription used in traditional Korean architecture—was discovered beneath the roof beam of the 11th chamber, aligning with the 1726 Jongmyo Gaesu Dogam Uigwe, a royal construction manual from the reign of King Yeongjo.
Following the restoration, ancestral tablets temporarily housed at Changdeokgung’s Seonwonjeon have been returned in a grand ceremonial procession, the first such rite since 1870. The hwanan ritual featured 28 royal palanquins and seven horses marching from Gwanghwamun to Jongmyo, covering 3.5 kilometers, culminating in a memorial ceremony at the shrine.
To celebrate the reopening and the 30th anniversary of Jongmyo’s UNESCO listing, the Cultural Heritage Administration has planned a series of public events. Nighttime performances of Jongmyo Jeryeak—royal ancestral ritual music—will run from April 24 through May 2, alongside reenactments of Joseon-era royal ceremonies, including those involving queens.
The major Jongmyo Daeje ritual, the most significant ancestral rite of the Joseon royal family, will be opened to the public for the first time in six years.
Choi Eung-chon, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, hailed the restoration as a “bridge connecting past, present, and future,” vowing to continue efforts to preserve and promote Korea’s cultural heritage.
Image credit: the Korea Heritage Service, Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
