Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun), Seoul in 360

Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun) is one of Seoul's historic Four Great Gates and it was designated National Treasure no. 1 by the Korean government in 1962. Though its official name is Sungnyemun, it is also popularly known as Namdaemun Gate due to its location at what was once the southern end of Seoul. As the centuries passed, Seoul grew in size but Sungnyemun Gate has endured through the ages.
Construction on the gate was started in 1395 and completed in 1398. In 1447, Sungnyemun saw reconstruction work carried out. The gate is the largest city gate with an arched entrance in the city, and atop the gate's wooden base stands a 2-story wooden structure. The gate is Seoul's oldest wooden structure but on Feb. 10th, 2008, much of the gate's wooden structure was destroyed by fire. Following several years of restorative work, Sungnyemun Gate can now be enjoyed in all its glory.