Nakseongdae | |
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![]() Statue of Kang Kam-ch'an in the park (2009) | |
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Location | Gwanak District, Seoul, South Korea |
Coordinates | 37°28′16″N 126°57′36″E / 37.471223°N 126.959983°E |
Public transit access | Nakseongdae Station |
Nakseongdae (Korean pronunciation: [naks͈ʌŋdɛ]; Korean: 낙성대; Hanja: 落星垈) is a park located in Gwanak, Seoul. It is the birthplace of Goryeo general, Kang Kam-ch'an. [1]
Nakseongdae means "where a star landed" in Hanja. This alludes to a legend surrounding general Kang Kam-ch'an; it is said that when he was born, a star fell to the earth and landed at the location of the park. [1]
In 1972, the park was designated as a Tangible Cultural Heritage of Seoul. [1] From 1973 to 1974, the shrine Anguksa (안국사; 安國祠) was constructed in the park. This shrine is dedicated to General Kang. Stone wall of 409 meter circumference was built to surround it. [1]
Near the park is Nakseongdae Station of Seoul Subway Line 2. [2]
The park is located close to Seoul National University (SNU), which is often considered the top university in South Korea. [3] The term Nakseongdae resembles the name of a university, owing particularly to the term dae ( 대; 大). Due to its proximity to SNU, it has become used as a euphemism or nickname for the university. The term is sometimes used to avoid the appearance of bragging about attending South Korea's top university. [3]
Media related to
Nakseongdae at Wikimedia Commons