Live camera Seoul, Korea, Republic Of

Seoul is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Korea, located on the banks of the Han River and surrounded by hills and hills. Seoul has a history spanning many centuries. The name of the city changed frequently: Hansangju, Hanyang, Yanju, Namcheon (Southern capital). In 1394, the founder of the Li dynasty chose Hanyang (present-day Seoul) as the capital of his state. In the city were built palaces, an 18-kilometer fortress wall. During the Korean War in the middle of the 20th century, Seoul twice passed into the hands of North Korean and Chinese troops. As a result of the hostilities, the city was severely destroyed. After the war, Seoul was quickly rebuilt and again became the country's political and economic center. Watch camera online in Seoul Seoul blends antiquity and modernity, skyscrapers and pagodas. Masterpieces of ancient national architecture are the Great South Gate (Namdaemun) and the Great East Gate (Dongdaemun), which once served as the entrance to the city; they were opened and closed to the sound of the bell. The royal palaces of Seoul are architectural monuments. Gyeongbokgung Palace (Palace of Radiant Happiness) was built in 1394. In 1592, during the Japanese invasion, it was destroyed and restored only in 1868. There are several buildings on the territory of the palace complex with an area of ​​16 hectares, each of which had its own purpose: throne chamber, banquet hall, private chambers of the royal family. Nowadays, the National and Ethnographic Museums of Korea are located on the territory of the palace. Stone pagodas and monuments collected from all over the country are also exhibited here. Changdeokun Palace (Palace of Glorified Virtue) served as the official residence of the king until 1910. Part of the palace complex is Pivon Park ("forbidden"), where previously only members of the royal family and associates had access. Changgyeong Palace (Palace of Delightful Bliss) is adjacent to the eastern part of Pivon Park. Next to the palace is the royal tomb of Chongme; two pavilions contain stone steles that immortalize the memory of 18 Korean kings. Of great interest are the Buddhist temples of the capital of Pongwonsa, Ponynsa, the Munme shrine in the Confucian Academy. A modern landmark of Seoul is the 262 m high Golden Tower, erected on Yoido Island. This is one of the tallest structures in Asia. There is an observation deck at the top of the tower, which offers views of Seoul and its surroundings and the Yellow Sea. There is an aquarium in the tower, where more than 20 thousand inhabitants of the sea are represented.