NORTH KOREA ~Bell of Yonbok Temple-UNESCO

..Received my second North Korea postcard... probably the most secret and closed country in the world... Thanks again Gisela!!


With really nice stamps!!

The South Gate was built between 1391 and 1393, at the same time as the inner citadel of the walled city. The citadel used to have seven gates, but only Nam Gate is left. During the Korea War is was severely damaged and rebuilt in 1954.

 On the gate there is a pavilion. Inside is the Yonbok Bell. It was cast in 1346, is 3,3 meters high and weighing 14 tonnes its covered with figures of tortoises, crabes, dragon, phoenix, deer and images of the Budha, and the two dragons on top of the bell indicate "intrepid spirit". The bell originates from Yonbok Temple, which was destroyed by fire in 1563.

Until the beginning of the 20th century the bell was used to call the hours and this could be heard until 4 km from the city.

NORTH KOREA ~Historical Relics in Pyongyang-Hyonmu Gate-Unesco tentative list ~

WoooW...Finally my first card from North Korea arrived today...not because of its long travel (sent 22 June) but people in North Korea were banned for months from sending postcards to Europe due to “Sanctions”...it was really worth the wait... fantastic wintry scene... as extra bonus a UNESCO tentative site. Thanks sooo much Gisela!!!



 With great stamps and postmark
 especially the flag!!

The Hyonmu gate or the north fortress of Pyongyang, first built in the 6th century, rebuilt in 1714.
The gate pavilion was destroyed by American bombs in 1952 and reconstructed in 1954.
 It is  located at the foot of Moran Hill. Its ground was built with quadrangular pyramid–shaped stones and the upper part of the gate from the middle built with well–trimmed fan–shaped stones in the form of arch.
The gate is kept and managed as it was under the correct policy of the Workers‘ Party of Korea on preserving historical and cultural relics.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly called North Korea, is a country in East Asia, in the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital is Pyongyang, the country's largest city by both land area and population.