Ulmil Pavilion

{{Short description|Historic building in Pyongyang, North Korea}}

{{Infobox Korean name

| hangul = 을밀대

| hanja = 乙密臺

| rr = Eulmildae

| mr = Ŭlmiltae

| context = north

| image = Ulmil Pavilion.jpg

| caption = People enjoying the view from the Pavilion.

}}

The Ulmil Pavilion ({{Korean|hangul=을밀대}}) is an historic structure located on Moran Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea.

The name of the structure is thought to come from the legend of Ulmil fairy, who descended from heaven over and over again to admire the scenery at the site. Another version tells that the site was named after a Koguryo General Ulmil who bravely fought in the area.{{cite news |author=Kim Son Gyong |title=Historical relics in Moran Hill |url=http://www.naenara.com.kp/en/periodic/korea/detail.php?kind=korea&&name=2014/11/11.pdf |newspaper=Pictoral Korea No. 707|location=Pyongyang |date=November 2014 |access-date=December 28, 2014 }}

The pavilion was built as the north command post of the inner-wall of the Pyongyang fort. It dates from the Koguryo Dynasty period, around the middle of the 6th century.{{cite web |url=http://www.korea-dpr.com/historical_remains.html |title=Democratic People's Republic of Korea_Ancient History |website=www.korea-dpr.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320085145/http://www.korea-dpr.com/historical_remains.html |archive-date=2012-03-20}} The pavilion was destroyed by the U.S. bombing during the Korean War. After the ceasefire, the pavilion was successfully rebuilt and is preserved as a National Treasure of North Korea.{{cite news |author= |title=Ulmil pavilion, heritage of architecture |url=http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/1998/9802/news02/26.htm |newspaper=Korean Central News Agency |location=Pyongyang |date=February 26, 1998 |access-date=December 11, 2014 }} It is one of the four castles or fortresses of the Pyongyang walls, the others being Naeseong, Oeseong and Chilseongmun.{{cite web |url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_4_12_10.jsp?out_service=Y |title=Pyeongyang Area |author= |website=Visit Korea |publisher=(South) Korean Tourism Association |access-date=January 10, 2015}}

The pavilion stands on the 11 metre-high stone-laid foundation of the fort. The walls on either side were rebuilt in 1714, showing architecture typical of the Ri Dynasty period. The base of the pavilion is made of square stones forming stairs. The crane-shaped roof is supported by poles engraved with various sculptures.

The view from the Pavilion during the Spring season has been called "one of the eight famous views of Pyongyang from long ago".{{cite news |author= |title=Moran Hill, Beauty Spot of Pyongyang |url=http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2009/200911/news10/20091110-10ee.html |newspaper=Korean Central News Agency |location=Pyongyang |date=November 10, 2009 |access-date=December 11, 2014 }} The site is known for a famous spring outdoor festival called Bomnori, one of eight famous Pyongyang festivals.