The Gyeongbokgung palace was built by king Taejo of the Joseon dinasty in 1395 and served as the principal palace until it was burned down by the Japanese in 1592. Reconstruction began in 1865 under king Heungseon Daewongun. The palace is spread over a large area in central Seoul and consists of a number of buildings with a main building, the Geunjeongjeon, inside two wall enclosures.