Hwaryeongjeon Shrine

Hwaryeongjeon is a royal shrine complex built in 1801 to house the portraits of King Jeongjo (r. 1776-1800) and hold ceremonial rituals. During the Joseon period, shrines for royal portraits were built in several places around the country. As King Jeongjo had a deep affection for Hwaseong Fortress, the shrine for his portraits was built next to the Temporary Palace.

Hwaryeongjeon housed two portraits of King Jeongjo, one originally held at the ritual house of his father’s tomb and the other at Changdeokgung Palace. The rituals at this shrine were held on the king’s birthday and at the end of the year after the Winter Solstice. The local magistrate of Suwon also held an incense offering ceremony on the 1st and 15th days of each month. However, in the early 20th century, the portraits were moved to Changdeokgung Palace, and the rituals here were no longer held.

The shrine complex includes a main and inner gate, various auxiliary gates, a well, and four buildings: the main hall for housing the royal portrait, an annex for temporarily housing the portrait under special circumstances, a ritual house for preparing rituals, and a storehouse for incense, foods, and vessels for the rituals.