Square Tomb in Gujeong-dong, Gyeongju

The Gujeongdong square tomb in Gyeongju, located right next to the Bulguk Rotary in front of the old Bulguksa Station in Gyeongju, is a rare ancient tomb from the Silla period.

As you can see while walking around Gyeongju, all of the large Silla tombs in Gyeongju are round in shape, but the Gujeongdong Square Tomb is the only one that has a rare square shape, which has attracted attention. As square tombs are one of the characteristics of Goguryeo-style royal tombs, as can be seen from the shapes of the General's Tomb and the King's Tomb, some have argued that the owner of this tomb may have been an ancient Goguryeo person such as Anseong, who held a government position and worked in Unified Silla, or his descendants.

However, apart from its square shape, the interior is a typical cave-style stone chamber tomb from the late Silla period, and the stone guardian deities, empty statues, and lion statues on the outside of the tomb are also in the royal tomb style from the late Silla period. Apart from its square shape, the tomb's style both inside and out is entirely in the Silla tomb style. Judging from the decorations, there is little doubt that it was the tomb of a high-ranking aristocrat or king, even by Silla standards.

By the way,Shitennoji,Royal Tomb of Queen SeondeokLocated at the foot of Mt. Nansan, northwest ofMausoleumSome people associate it with a square stone pagoda called Neungjitap. It is the place where King Munmu the Great is believed to have been cremated, and although it is called a Neungtap, it has similarities to the square tomb in Gujeongdong in that the walls are decorated with statues of the twelve zodiac animals.

So why is this the only square tomb in the Silla royal tombs? There is no definitive explanation. It is thought to be a slightly unusual Silla-style tomb. There is an entrance on one side of the tomb that leads to the inside, but the inside has already been robbed at some point, so it is empty and only contains a stone coffin.

And it's open so you can go in and have a look, but the entrance is so low you have to almost crouch down to get in.

In 1963, it was designated as the 27th historic site of the Republic of Korea.

directions
Gyeongju Intercity Bus TerminalTake bus number 600 from the bus stop in front of the station and get off at Bulguksa Rotary. The journey takes about 35 minutes.

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Hanging tomb The eight stone statues lined up as if guarding the royal tomb and the twelve zodiac gods surrounding it are said to be the most excellent in carving techniques among the surviving Silla royal tombs.