2017년 3월 28일 화요일

Gyeongju - Capital of Silla Dynasty

Gyeongju was the capital city of the ancient kingdom of Silla (BC57~AD935). The city is often referred to as a “museum without walls” because of the many cultural relics scattered throughout the city. Many of the hills are actually royal tombs and fields of grass used to be sites of ancient temples. Many sites have been designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

* Bus
   KTX Station - Bus terminal - Gyeongju Railroad Station - Donggung - Bulguksa Temple: No. 700
   Bus Terminal - Donggung -Bulguksa Temple: No.10





A. Daereungwon Tumuli Park and Cheonmachong Tomb
     Daereungwon Tumuli Park Belt are tombs and burial places of high personages including kings, queens, and nobility.
They were excavated and at Cheonmachong Tomb out of them, rare and precious artifacts including gold crown and Cheonmado (heavenly horse painting) were discovered.






B. Cheomseongdae Observatory
     Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. It was constructed during the reign of Queen Seondeok (632-647). This stone structure is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves.


C. Wolseong Palace Site (Banwolseong Fortress)
This was the location of the palace fortress during the Silla Dynasty. (57 BC ~ AD 935). The fortress takes after its name, which, literally translated, means 'a crescent moon shape on top of a hill'. Although the magnificent grandeur of the palace is now just an empty lot, it has been told that this area was filled with imperial buildings during the dynasty.


D. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond were the secondary palace site which was used for the palace of the Crown Prince along with other subsidiary buildings and it also was the banquet room for important national event and important visitors.



E. Bulguksa Temple
Bulguksa Temple, the representative relic of Gyeongju was built in 528. It is home to many important cultural relics such as Dabotap Pagoda, Seokgatap Pagoda, Yeonhwa-gyo & Chilbo-gyo Bridges, Cheongun-gyo & Baegun-gyo Bridges, the Golden Seated Vairocana Buddhist Figure, the Golden Seated Amita Figure, and Saritap Pagoda.




F. Seokguram Grotto
Seokguram Grotto, the greatest masterpiece of the golden age of Silla, was completed in 774 A.D. It is a heritage property in which architecture, mathematical principles, geometry, religion, and art are collectively realized through its design and construction.