Seonjeongneung

Located in the famous Gangnam District of Seoul, Seonjeongneung is a large park that stands out in the middle of the bustling and crowded capital of South Korea.

This site is the burial ground of two kings and a queen of the Joseon Dynasty. The westernmost area of the park is occupied by Seolleung, the tomb of King Seongjong who died in 1494. On this tomb are engravings of the twelve zodiac signs and the mound is surrounded by various sculptures of civil and military servants. A small shrine is located nearby. The tomb of Queen Jeonghyeon, Seongjong’s wife, was constructed after her death in 1530 to the east of Seolleung. It is surrounded by a stone fence.

The easternmost tomb, known as Jeongneung, belongs to King Jungjong who died in 1544 and was the son of Seongjong. Originally buried at another site in Goyang, north of Seoul, he was moved here to be closer to his father. This tomb is also surrounded by some sculptures and a small temple.

During the Japanese Invasions of Korea in the late 16th-century, the tombs were severely damaged but were later repaired. When the site started to become engulfed by the expanding city of Seoul during the 1960s, the area was restored and is now a wonderful city park.