Getting to Know Seokguram, an Artificial Stone Grotto from the Silla Kingdom Era that Became a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Kapanlagi.com - Seokguram is a stone Buddha temple on the slopes of Mount Toham in Gyeongju. Its construction began in 751 under the supervision of Prime Minister Silla, Kim Daeseong, and was completed in 774. It was originally called Seokbulsa Temple. Unlike natural cave temples commonly found in China and India, Seokguram is an artificial cave temple that showcases the advanced architectural techniques of the Silla dynasty.

All the statues inside the cave, including the main Buddha statue, are carved from granite. Granite offers beautiful colors, but its hardness poses a challenge when carving. The statues in Seokguram are carved so finely that they appear incredibly lifelike.

1. There are 38 Statues Inside the Cave

© daum.net

According to the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK), among the 38 statues in the cave, the magnificent main Buddha statue in the main chamber is surrounded by other statues, including eleven-headed Bodhisattva and 10 disciples. There are also a pair of muscular guardian statues carved on the entrance door.

The ceiling of the main chamber is dome-shaped. Creating a dome-shaped ceiling with stacked stones had never been done before anywhere because building a dome with heavy stones requires precise design and architectural knowledge. The Silla architects secured the ceiling by adding stone slices at regular intervals to balance its weight.

2. Masterpiece of Silla Architecture

visitkorea.or.kr

Seokguram is built on a base rock with a spring underneath it that helps prevent condensation. Its remarkable preservation for over a millennium is associated with its scientific architecture.

Seokguram is a masterpiece that demonstrates the height of Silla art, religion, and architecture. Seokguram is National Treasure No. 24, which was also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995.

(kpl/mit)