Bosingak Belfry

Bosingak Pavilion Site is where Bosingak, a bell pavilion that announced the time inside and outside the capital city, once stood. Bosingak, also called Jonggak, was named after receiving a royal plaque reading 'Bosingak' in the 32nd year of King Gojong of Joseon (1895). First built in the 4th year of King Taejo (1395), it was destroyed by fire four times and rebuilt eight times. The current building was constructed by Seoul City in August 1979, consisting of a two-story pavilion with five bays from east to west and five bays from north to south. The Bosingak Bell, designated as Treasure No. 2, was made in the 14th year of King Sejo of Joseon (1468) and originally housed at Wongaksa Temple. After the temple was abandoned, it was moved to the current Bosingak site in the 11th year of King Gwanghaegun (1619). The Bosingak Bell rang 33 times at 4 a.m. and 28 times at 7 p.m., signaling the opening and closing of the city gates and announcing the time of day. Over the years, cracks developed in the bell's body, making it impossible to ring further, so a bell pavilion was built at the National Museum of Korea to preserve it. The bell currently hanging in the new pavilion was newly made in 1985 with donations from the public and was first rung on Liberation Day that year. Every December 31, traffic is controlled around Bosingak, and the area is filled with people gathering to enjoy the New Year's bell-ringing ceremony together.