World Heritage Identification Number: 1278
World Heritage since: 2013
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇰🇵 Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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A Glimpse into the Koryo Dynasty: Exploring the Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong
The Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong, located in the heart of North Korea, offer a captivating journey through the rich history and culture of the Koryo Dynasty (918-1392 AD). Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, this collection of 12 distinct components provides a unique insight into the political, cultural, philosophical, and spiritual values of a pivotal period in East Asian history.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Situated in Kaesong city, in the south of the country, the site consists of 12 separate components, which together testify to the history and culture of the Koryo Dynasty from the 10th to 14th centuries. The geomantic layout of the former capital city of Kaesong, its palaces, institutions and tomb complex, defensive walls and gates embody the political, cultural, philosophical and spiritual values of a crucial era in the region’s history. The monuments inscribed also include an astronomical and meteorological observatory, two schools (including one dedicated to educating national officials) and commemorative steles. The site testifies to the transition from Buddhism to neo-Confucianism in East Asia and to the assimilation of the cultural spiritual and political values of the states that existed prior to Korea’s unification under the Koryo Dynasty. The integration of Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist and geomantic concepts is manifest in the planning of the site and the architecture of its monuments.
Encyclopedia Record: Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong
Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kaesong, North Korea. The site consists of 12 separate components, which together testify to the history and culture of the Koryo Dynasty from the 10th to 14th centuries. The geomantic layout of the former capital city of Kaesong, its palaces, institutions and tomb complex, defensive walls and gates embody the political, cultural, philosophical and spiritual values of a crucial era in the region's history. The monuments inscribed also include an astronomical and meteorological observatory, two schools and commemorative steles. The site testifies to the transition from Buddhism to neo-Confucianism in East Asia and to the assimilation of the cultural, spiritual, and political values of the states that existed prior to Korea's unification under the Koryo Dynasty. The integration of Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist and geomantic concepts is manifest in the planning of the site and the architecture of its monuments. The World Heritage Site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2013 under criteria (ii) and (iii). The site has an area of 494.2 ha with a buffer zone of 5,222.1 ha.Additional Site Details
Area: 494.2 hectares
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
Coordinates: 37.9816666667 , 126.5080555556
