World cultural relics in Korea
A cultural asset of international importance
that is deemed worthy of special preservation is designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage.
According to the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, at present, 552 cultural treasures from 112 countries are registered by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage.
Pulguksa temple and nearby Sokkuram Grotto, Chongmyo Shrine, and the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks and their depositories at Haeinsa temple were registered on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1995, followed by Changdokkung palace and Hwasong fortress in Suwon in 1997.
Through the listing of these five cultural assets, the world has come to know about the excellence and uniqueness of Korea's cultural treasures.
Korea's World Cultural Heritage
1) Pulguksa temple
The construction of Pulguksa temple began in the tenth year of King Kyongdok's reign (751) under the auspices of the Shilla minister Kim Tae-song. By the 10th year of King Hyegong's reign (774), the large monastic complex was completed, becoming an important center for Shilla's national-protection Buddhism. The layout of the temple represents an attempt to symbolically reproduce the Buddhist Pure Land on earth. In particular, the form and construction techniques used to create the interlaced stone structures of the interior give the temple a sense of majesty, elegance and exquisite proportions. The building thus represents the quintessence of Korean sculpture. Pulguksa temple played an essential role in the history of Shilla temple architecture.
2) Sokkuram Grotto
Sokkuram Grotto made of stone was originally known as Sokpulsa temple. The grotto is actually a man-made cave which has been carved from white granite using special sculpting techniques. Within the grotto, a seated Buddha is enshrined as the main figure. On the walls surrounding him are found 38 other figures of Bodhisattvas, disciples, Dharma-protectors and the Four Heavenly Kings. Looking at the figures, one feels as if the Pure Land where the Buddha eternal abides had somehow been transferred to our defiled earthly realm. This stone grotto is one of Korea's greatest masterpieces, built when Shilla's religion, science and sculpture were at their height. In its design, it exquisitely combines Shilla's knowledge of architecture, math, geometry, physics, religion and art into an organic whole.
3) Chongmyo Shrine
Chongmyo is an ancestral shrine where spirit tablets of Choson kings and queen-consorts are enshrined and rituals performed. Its original function has not changed from the time it was founded to the present. At present, the Sacrificial Rites are held on the first Sunday in each May. The ritual and music used for the ceremony have been respectively designated as Intangible Cultural Properties No. 56 and No. 1. Of immense importance within the history of architecture, the structure has been called the Parthenon of Asia. In the Chongmyo Rituals, the features and significance of these ancient rites have been preserved, giving researchers a glimpse of the unique character of these ancient cultures. With its distinctive architectural features and its continual preservation of ancestral rites, Chongmyo plays a central role in the spiritual culture of Korea and the rest of Northeast Asia. This great cultural heritage should be safe-guarded for all time and shared with all the people of the world.
4) The Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks and
Haeinsa temple
Haeinsa temple's Changgyong Panjon is the repository for the Tripitaka Koreana-a world-class cultural treasure, and is the oldest extant building at Haeinsa temple. Consisting of more than 81,340 wooden printing blocks, the Koryo version of the Buddhist canon is estimated to contain more than 52 million Chinese characters. In addition to the work's intrinsic artistic value, it is famous as the oldest and most comprehensive Buddhist canon existing in the world today. The building is beautiful, but even more importantly, its design allows for natural ventilation as well as temperature and humidity control. Each block averages 69.5cm in width and 23.9cm in height. They all consist of 23 rows and each row usually contains fourteen characters. The Tripitaka Koreana is a compilation of the "Three Baskets" of the Buddhist canon, i.e. Sutras, Vinaya and Abhidharma. In addition, it has been sent to England, America, France, Germany and other Western nations where it plays an important role in international Buddhist research.
5) Changdokkung palace
Changdokkung palace, one of the five palaces of the Choson Dynasty, was constructed in 1405. The oldest structure in the complex is Tonhwamun gate. Other ancient buildings include Injongjon hall (used for congratulatory ceremonies and for the reception of foreign envoys), Sonjongjon hall (used to discuss national political affairs) and Taejojon hall (the queen's residence). In addition, the back garden (Huwon), which served as a recreational spot for Choson kings, remains as a fine example of ancient Korean landscaping. Within Huwon, one finds a lotus pond and trees that are over 300 years old along with a pavilion, all arranged in harmony with the natural surroundings. In this respect, Changdokkung palace makes an invaluable contribution to understanding of traditional architecture, landscaping and history.
6) Hwasong fortress in Suwon
Built as a means of bolstering the weakened monarchy, Hwasong fortress in Suwon represented the establishment of an advanced city and an unprecedented fortress design. As an architectural work of unique beauty, this cultural treasure now stands in the middle of Suwon as a living reminder of Korea's past.