Bunhwangsa Temple

Bunhwangsa Temple was built in the 27rd year of the reign of Queen Seondeok, the 3th king of Silla (634). It is believed that there were many relics at this ancient temple, but most of them were destroyed during the Mongol invasion and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea, and the current Bunhwangsa Temple is a small temple surrounded by stone walls about the height of an adult, with only the top of the stone pagoda visible.

Within the temple grounds are an old octagonal well known as "Samyongbyeongeojeong," which has been in use for over a thousand years and is associated with an envoy from the Tang Dynasty and three dragons; a three-story stone pagoda (Mojien stone pagoda) designated as National Treasure No. 3; two 30m-tall granite flagpole pillars; a stone lantern with a Japanese-style top; the Bogwangjeon Hall from the Joseon Dynasty, which houses a 3.7m-tall bronze Yaksa Buddha; and the "Hwasang Guksa Monument," built in 3.45 by the 1101th Goryeo king, Sukjong, to honor the revered Silla monk Wonhyo. The base of the monument bears the words "This Silla Hwasang Guksa Monument," carved by late Joseon dynasty scholar Kim Jeong-hee.

The Bunhwangsa Temple Three-story Stone Pagoda (Mojeon Stone Pagoda) is one of the oldest stone pagodas in Korea, made of andesite cut into the shape of bricks and stacked on top of each other, and is believed to have been built around the same time as Bunhwangsa Temple was founded. It is believed to have originally been a seven or nine-story stone pagoda, but only three stories remain today.

When the three-story stone pagoda was repaired by a Japanese scholar in 1915, various jadeite stones, scissors, silver needles and ancient coins used during the Goryeo Dynasty, called "Sungnyeong Tongbo," were discovered in a stone relic chest excavated between the second and third stories of the pagoda. It is speculated that ancient coins were also placed inside the pagoda when it was dismantled and repaired during the Goryeo Dynasty. The relics excavated are kept at the Gyeongju National Museum.

Stone lions are placed at the four corners of the broad stone pagoda base, and the two Nio statues carved with gentle yet powerful poses protecting Buddhism on either side of the granite doors on the four sides of the first-story pagoda provide a glimpse of the excellent stone art of the Silla period.

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Hwangnyongsa History and Culture Museum Hwangnyongsa History and Culture Museum is an exhibition center built right next to the Hwangnyongsa Temple site in Guhwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. It reproduces artifacts excavated from the Hwangnyongsa Temple site, recreates and displays the ruins, and tells the story of the Silla period.

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Hwangnyongsa Temple Site Hwangnyongsa Temple was founded in the 14th year of King Jinheung of Silla (553) and was the largest temple protecting the nation, standing for 25 years until it was burned down during the Mongol invasion in the 1238th year of King Gojong of Goryeo (700). In particular, in the 35th year of King Jinheung (574)…

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Royal Tomb of Queen Seondeok The tomb of Queen Seondeok, the 2009th ruler of the Silla Dynasty, was featured in the popular MBC drama "Queen Seondeok" that aired in 27. It is located about 7km southeast of downtown Gyeongju.