You can find on this page the Seoul old map to print and to download in PDF. The Seoul historical map and the vintage map of Seoul present the past and evolutions of the city of Seoul in South Korea.

Seoul historical map

Map of Seoul historical

The Seoul old map shows evolutions of Seoul city. This historical map of Seoul will allow you to travel in the past and in the history of Seoul in South Korea. The Seoul ancient map is downloadable in PDF, printable and free.

The mighty walls of Korea modern capital rose in 1394, when King Taejo, founder of the Joseon dynasty, settled the government seat in the historical valley of Hanyang (later to become Seoul) and ordered the building of Gyeongbokgung, the Palace of Shining Happiness, at the foot of Bukaksan as its mentioned in Seoul historical map. But the historical city roots stretch back many centuries before that, while its development in recent times into an economic powerhouse and the second-largest metropolitan area in the world has been breathtaking.

After the formal establishment of Seoul as the historical capital of the unified Chosŏn state in 1394, construction and growth were very rapid. Construction of the Kyŏngbok Palace began in 1392; it was the residence of the Chosŏn kings from 1395 until 1592. Before residence had even been established, construction of the historical city defensive walls had been completed, although so hastily that they had to be reconstructed in 1422. The Tŏksu Palace, construction of which began in the late 15th century, was the residence of the Chosŏn kings from 1593 until 1611 (see Seoul historical map). The Ch’angdŏk Palace, begun in 1405, was the residence from 1611 to 1872, when the king moved back into the reconstructed Kyŏngbok Palace (it had been burned by the Japanese in 1592 and was not rebuilt until 1867).

A year after Japan annexation of Korea in 1910, the historical name of the Seoul area was changed to Kyŏngsŏng (Gyeongseong), and minor changes were made in its boundaries (see Seoul historical map). Seoul served as the centre of Japanese rule, and modern technology was imported. Roads were paved, old gates and walls partly removed, new Western-style buildings built, and streetcars introduced.

Seoul vintage map

Map of Seoul antique

The Seoul vintage map give a unique insight into the history and evolution of Seoul city. This vintage map of Seoul with its antique style will allow you to travel in the past of Seoul in South Korea. The Seoul vintage map is downloadable in PDF, printable and free.

Archaeological exploration shows evidence of human settlement since about 4000 BCE along the Han River in the vintage area now occupied by Seoul. The earliest historical mention of Seoul and the surrounding area dates from the 1st century BCE as its shown in Seoul vintage map. During the Three Kingdoms period (c. 57 BCE–668 CE) of Silla, Koguryŏ (Koguryeo), and Paekche, the vintage area formed a borderland between the three countries, although during the early part of the period it was most closely associated with the kingdom of Paekche.

Historical accounts as well as archaeological records indicate that the original the vintage site of Paekche capital, Wiryesŏng (Wiryeseong), was in the northeastern part of present-day Seoul as its mentioned in Seoul vintage map. Shortly thereafter the capital was moved south across the Han River; a number of remains, including earthen walls, dwellings, and tombs, have been uncovered at that site. It was not, however, until King Munjong of Koryŏ built a summer palace in 1068 CE that a fairly large settlement existed on the vintage site of the modern city.

The history of Seoul probably started in 18 BC, when it was chosen to be the capital of the vintage Baekje Kingdom. After that it has been the capital of various rulers, which all gave the vintage city a new name. The importance of Seoul as a city really started during the Joseon Dynasty as you can see in Seoul vintage map. Former General Yi Seong-gye chose Seoul to be the capital of his empire in 1392. During the next 10 years Seoul grew into a real city, with 100.000 inhabitants.