| Bosingak | |
|---|---|
 The building in 2019 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Coordinates | 37°34′12″N 126°59′00″E / 37.5699°N 126.9834°E |
| Completed | 1396 |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 보신각 |
| Hanja | 普信閣 |
| Revised Romanization | Bosin-gak |
| 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[2] but destroyed many times by both war and fire. It was designated Bosingak by Emperor Gojong in 1895. The bell was cast in 1468.[2][1]
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.[3] 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.
- ^ a b "보물 옛 보신각 동종 (옛 普信閣 銅鍾) : 국가유산포털 - 문화재청 (The bell of Bosingak Pavilion)". Heritage Portal : CULTURAL HERITAGE ADMINISTRATION (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ a b 안, 귀숙, "옛 보신각 동종 (舊 普信閣 銅鍾) (The bell of Bosingak Pavilion)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-05-15
- ^ "Bosingak Belfry". Korea Tourism Organization. Retrieved 2014-02-07.