This study examines the transitional situation that can be seen from the palace operation in early Joseon Dynasty. The first decades of Joseon after the nation was founded differ from the Joseon Dynasty as a whole, but rather similar with the Goryeo Dynasty. By examining “The History of Goryeo(高麗史),” it showed that palace operation during the Goryeo Dynasy was marked by the fact that a separate palace was built and resided in despite the existence of the Bongweol(本闕, main palace) as the central palace. The separation of the parent’s generation and the children’s generation was shown through the establishment of one’s own palace. Such trait of Goryeo affected palace construction directly after the founding of Joseon. This can be shown from the characteristic of palace operation by generation. The construction of the Changdeokgung Palace(昌德宮) of King Taejong, as his own palace, is an example. Afterwards, the palace system of Joseon was established, and the space of the king and the crown prince was merged through ritual reform during the reign of King Sejong. However, the space for the parents of the king were considered separate, and this influence continued to the reign of King Seongjong. The construction of Changgyeonggung Palace(昌慶宮) during the reign of King Seongjong is an event where the king proclaimed the separation with his mother and grandmother.

The architectural characteristics and historical positioning which the historical architecture will be understood better through collecting results from researches which was done on various points of views and positions. Therefore, a study on the layout of the main palace of Goryeo Dynasty also becomes a prerequisite for understanding the architectural characteristics and historical positioning which it possesses. However, the reality is that as the results from the excavation and preceding researches were not integrated together, the understanding of the layout of main palace is remaining on a partial and conceptual level. Therefore, this paper attempted to review in overall the restoration of the layout of the main palace of Goryeo Dynasty using historical documents, precedent researches, excavation maps, topographical map and cadastral maps. Consequently, it was possible to confirm the name of some of the ruins and restore the location and layout of other buildings. The result of this research presented above, will become a basis for understanding the layout of the main palace of Goryeo Dynasty in more realistic and way. Furthermore, it could be used as a fundamental data for related researches.