The story of Gyeongbokgung is full of splendour and hardship. As the largest of the Five Grand Palaces that were constructed by the Joseon Dynasty it was the primary residence and seat of government for most of the era, but that also made it the target of numerous attacks right up to the early 20th century.
The first parts of Gyeongbokgung, which translates as Palace of the Crown Prince, were built in 1395 in what is now northern Seoul about three years into the reign of King Taejo, but it continued to expand in the years that followed.
Much of the site has now been given protected UNESCO status, but many parts have been through several reconstructions as a result of damage either accidental or deliberate. The first such incident of note were fires around 1553 that destroyed several major buildings, but these were restored the following year.