World Heritage Identification Number: 736
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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A Journey Through Time: Exploring the Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple
The Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, located in Gyeongju, South Korea, stand as testaments to the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla. These remarkable structures, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, offer a unique glimpse into the artistic and spiritual achievements of the Silla dynasty.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Established in the 8th century on the slopes of Mount Toham, the Seokguram Grotto contains a monumental statue of the Buddha looking at the sea in the bhumisparsha mudra position. With the surrounding portrayals of gods, Bodhisattvas and disciples, all realistically and delicately sculpted in high and low relief, it is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist art in the Far East. The Temple of Bulguksa (built in 774) and the Seokguram Grotto form a religious architectural complex of exceptional significance.
Encyclopedia Record: Seokguram
Seokguram is a hermitage and part of the Bulguksa temple complex in Gyeongju, South Korea. It and Bulguksa are both on the mountain Tohamsan, although the two are separated by distance of around 3 kilometres (1.9 mi). The grotto overlooks the East Sea and rests 750 meters above sea level. In 1962, it was designated the 24th National Treasure of South Korea. In 1995, Seokguram was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Bulguksa Temple. It exemplifies some of the best Buddhist sculptures in the world.Additional Site Details
Area: Not available
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
Coordinates: 35.791498 , 129.349029
