Seoul Round Altar

Seoul Round Altar

The Round Altar, also known as the Heaven Worship Altar, is a ceremonial site where monarchs of the Korean Peninsula offered sacrifices to heaven, similar in function to China's Temple of Heaven. Seoul's Round Altar is located in Sangun-dong, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea. It was first built in 1897 and shares a very similar design layout with Beijing's Temple of Heaven, featuring structures akin to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, and the Imperial Vault of Heaven.

Historical records indicate that in 1897, King Gojong, the 26th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, constructed the "Round Altar" on the site of the former Heaven Worship Altar to perform a heaven-worshipping ceremony for his enthronement as emperor. Later, in 1899, an octagonal three-tiered altar top known as the "Imperial Vault of Heaven" was built on the granite foundation of the main altar. In 1902, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Gojong's ascension, the "Stone Drum Altar" was erected next to the Imperial Vault of Heaven. It was grand in scale and exquisitely built. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in 1913 during the Japanese colonial period, with only a small portion remaining.

The Seoul Round Altar is a three-tiered granite altar, topped with an octagonal three-story roof and housing the "Imperial Vault of Heaven." Surrounding the Imperial Vault of Heaven are statues of the "Haetae," a mythical creature symbolizing the ability to discern good from evil and judge right from wrong. Nearby also stands the Stone Drum Altar, where drums are adorned with dragon carvings — considered masterpieces of late Joseon Dynasty sculpture.

The Seoul Round Altar is one of the finest examples of late Joseon Dynasty architectural style and holds significant importance for the study of the architecture and artistic development of that period. It was designated as South Korea’s Historic Site No. 157 on July 15, 1967.

Wongudan

Must-visit reason: One of the finest examples of late Joseon Dynasty architectural style

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Korea[Korea]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Seoul Special City [Seoul Special City]

City where the attraction is located: Jung-gu [Jung-gu]