World Heritage Identification Number: 738
World Heritage since: 1995
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇰🇷 Republic of Korea
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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Jongmyo Shrine: A Testament to Ancestral Veneration and Confucian Tradition
The Jongmyo Shrine, located in the heart of Seoul, South Korea, stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and enduring traditions of the Korean people. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, this ancient Confucian royal shrine offers a unique glimpse into the past, providing insights into the lives of the Joseon dynasty's rulers and their reverence for their ancestors.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Jongmyo is the oldest and most authentic of the Confucian royal shrines to have been preserved. Dedicated to the forefathers of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), the shrine has existed in its present form since the 16th century and houses tablets bearing the teachings of members of the former royal family. Ritual ceremonies linking music, song and dance still take place there, perpetuating a tradition that goes back to the 14th century.
Encyclopedia Record: Jongmyo
Jongmyo (Korean: 종묘) is a Confucian royal ancestral shrine in the Jongno District of Seoul, South Korea. It was originally built during the Joseon period (1392–1897) for memorial services for deceased kings and queens. According to UNESCO, the shrine is the oldest royal Confucian shrine preserved and the ritual ceremonies continue a tradition established in the 14th century. Such shrines existed during the Three Kingdoms of Korea period (57–668), but these have not survived. The Jongmyo Shrine was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995.Additional Site Details
Area: 19.4 hectares
Coordinates: 37.5747222222 , 126.9936111111
