The restoration of the Sungnyemun city gate, national treasure No. 1, will begin Wednesday, two years after the Joseon Dynasty landmark was burned down by an arsonist.

The reconstruction work will focus not only on rebuilding the 610-year-old gate but also restoring parts of the Seoul fortress that were destroyed during Japan’s colonial period.

The rebuilding work will be done through the use of Joseon Dynasty construction methods. A blacksmith’s shop will be set up at the construction site to produce traditional construction tools to be used at the restoration site.

The Cultural Heritage Administration said it will hold a ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday and an ancestral rite before launching restoration efforts.

The restoration of the Sungnyemun city gate is set to be completed by 2012.