• The Royal Museum
The Royal Museum
displays artifacts which were used at royal palaces during the Joseon Dynasty.
There are musical instruments and other artifacts which reflect the politics,
economy, science, national ceremonies, palace architecture and royal court
ceremonies of the time. Royal seals, kings' books, royal handicrafts, court
attire and dress ornaments, paintings and models of various palaces are also
displayed in the museum.
• The Bank of Korea Museum
The construction of the
main building of the Bank of Korea, where this museum is located, was built
1912, during the Daehan period. The structure has an eclectic Renaissance style
and is designated as Historic Site No. 280. The museum consists of four areas
which illustrate the purpose and function of the Bank of Korea. There are
displays explaining currency production and policies on consumer prices,
currency and credit. Currencies from Korea and countries around the world are
also on display.
• Lotte World Folk Museum
Lotte World
Folk Museum is an educational facility designed to introduce Korean history and
culture. The museum uses images, pictures, dioramas and miniatures to vividly
recreate the culture and lifestyle of ancient Korea. A total of 80 scenes set in
1/8 scale depict royal palaces, lifestyles of the nobility and commoners, and
traditional festivals and rites.
• Ihwajang
Ihwajang is a private
residence that belonged to Lee Seung-man, the first President of the Republic of
Korea. It depicts his frugal lifestyle and history of the founding of the
republic. Major items exhibited here include his clothing (some of which was
darned several times), scrapbooks of magazine articles, old kitchen cupboards,
brassware, and wardrobes which were made of paper boxes. Visitors can also view
former president Lee's reception room, bedroom, study and kitchen.
• Museum of Korean Traditional Music
The
Museum of Korean Traditional Music features exhibits on the history of gugak (a
traditional Korean style of music), musical instruments and books on gugak,
audio-visual materials and relics of deceased gugak artists. The museum is
located inside of National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts and
houses a gugak library and a shop that sells items related to traditional Korean
music. In addition, the museum offers a gugak course, where people can learn
this style of traditional Korean music. On Saturdays a gugak concert is
performed.
• Onggi Folk Museum
The Onggi (Korean
pottery) folk Museum features 3,000 onggi pieces, ranging from the time of the
Goguryeo Kingdom to the Joseon Dynasty. There are 10,000 folk items located
here, including mortars and stone wash basins. Onggi is household pottery which
is used either to store grains such as rice and barley, or to ferment foods such
as kimchi and jeotgal (pickled seafood). Onggi has qualities which not only
prevent foods from spoiling by allowing air to penetrate the pottery, but which
also facilitate fermentation by maintaining optimal temperatures.
