Bosingak
| Bosingak | |
|---|---|
The building in 2019 | |
| General information | |
| Address | 03189 54, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul |
| Coordinates | 37°34′12″N 126°59′00″E / 37.5699°N 126.9834°E |
| Completed | 1396 |
| Other information | |
| Public transit access | 63m from Exit 4 of Jonggak Station on Line 1 (1-minute walk) |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 보신각 |
| Hanja | 普信閣 |
| Revised Romanization | Bosingak |
| McCune–Reischauer | Posin'gak |
Bosingak (Korean: 보신각) is a large bell pavilion on Jongno in Seoul, South Korea. The bell in Bosingak gives Jongno its name, which translates to "bell street". The pavilion was originally constructed in 1395 but destroyed many times by both war and fire. It was designated Bosingak by Emperor Gojong in 1895. The bell was cast in 1468.
In the Joseon period, this bell was at the center of the castle town. The bell was struck to announce the opening and closing of the four gates around Seoul. At 4 am and 10 pm the bell was struck 33 times and gates were opened and closed. It was used as a fire alarm as well. In modern times, the bell is rung only at midnight on New Year's Eve. Because of the massive number of people who attend this ceremony, Metro trains on Line 1 of the Seoul Subway do not stop at Jonggak Station on New Year's Eve.