Historical Relic

Puyong Pavilion

The Puyong Pavilion in Haeju, South Hwanghae Province, well-known from olden times, has been rebuilt in its original state.

The only pavilion in Korea built on footstalls in water, it dates back to the early 16th century.

The Puyong Pavilion, one of the eight scenic spots in Haeju, was reduced to ashes except its pillars in a savage bombing of the US imperialists during the Fatherland Liberation War (June 1950—July 1953).

The people in South Hwanghae Province have recently reconstructed the Puyong Pavilion in its original state in conformity with the policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea on preserving and taking good care of historical and cultural relics and remains.

The pavilion stands in the middle of a pond which was dug in 1354 in the late period of the Koryo dynasty when the Haeju walled city was built, in order to store water for use in an emergency. Then the pond became resplendent with lotus flowers every year and their fragrance filled the air.

The wafting fragrance was so well-known that the pavilion erected on the bank of the pond in 1500 was named Unghyang Pavilion meaning a pavilion thick with fragrance. In 1526, 26 years after that, they built a new-type pavilion in the middle of the pond with the name of Puyong Pavilion, linking the two with a roofed bridge.

The Puyong Pavilion rests on 33 stone footstalls fixed in the pond. It has a double-gabled roof, its height is 10.5 metres and its floor space is hundreds of square metres.

With the passage of time the whole place comprising the pond and the two pavilions came to be called by the name of Puyong Pavilion.

Pavilions are found on lotus ponds in many places in Korea, but most of them stand on the banks of the ponds or on man-made islets in the ponds.

The Puyong Pavilion was well-known for the beautiful lotus flowers in full bloom in the pond and the sounds of raindrops pattering on the lotus leaves.

In olden times people used to say, “Do not mention Haeju before seeing the Puyong Pavilion.”

The Puyong Pavilion has now become a popular holiday resort for our people to enjoy a good cultural rest.

Article & photos: Jong Ui Yol