The crowns of Silla ( Korean : 신라 금관 ) were made in the Korean kingdom of Silla approximately in the 5th–7th centuries.
105-506: These crowns were excavated in Gyeongju , the former capital of Silla, and are designated National treasures of South Korea . The Silla crowns were uncovered in the tumuli of Gyeongju , South Korea , the capital of Silla and Unified Silla . Silla tumuli, unlike their Baekje and Goguryeo counterparts were made inaccessible because the tombs did not include passageways and corridors. Instead, deep pits were dug and lined with wood and this
210-583: A gold crown and a gold girdle, both replete with jade comma-shaped beads . These trappings of royalty indicate that a king was buried in the tomb. Additionally, the fact that the girdle in the Heavenly Horse Tomb is similar to a girdle found in the Gold Crown Tomb and the use of the dragon motif in gold plates which matches treasures in the Baekje King Muryeong also indicate a royal king
315-574: A monsoon season between late June and early August. As on the rest of Korea's east coast, autumn typhoons are not uncommon. The average annual rainfall is 1,091 millimeters (43.0 in), and the average annual high temperatures range from 8.6–31.1 °C (47–88 °F). Gyeongju's historic city center lies on the banks of the Hyeongsan in Gyeongju Basin. This lowlying area has been subject to repeated flooding throughout recorded history, often as
420-567: A distinctive dialect which it shares with northern portions of Ulsan . This dialect is similar to the general Gyeongsang dialect , but retains distinctive features of its own. Some linguists have treated the distinctive characteristics of the Gyeongju dialect as vestiges of the Silla language . For instance, the contrast between the local dialect form " 소내기 " ( sonaegi ) and the standard " 소나기 " ( sonagi, meaning "rainshower") has been seen as reflecting
525-608: A first prize and three second prizes, and in 2008, the team won the first prize at the 51st National Division Hockey Championships. The city plays host to two annual marathon events. The Gyeongju International Marathon , held in October, garners elite level competition while the larger Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon caters more for amateur fun runners . The Cherry Blossom Marathon has been held each year in Gyeongju since 1992, usually in April, to improve relations with Japan (a country with
630-488: A hangover". A street dedicated to haejangguk is located near Gyeongju National Museum , where 20 haejangguk restaurants are gathered to serve the Gyeongju-style haejangguk . The soup is made by boiling soybean sprout , sliced memilmuk (buckwheat starch jelly), sour kimchi (pickled vegetables) and gulfweed in a clear broth of dried anchovy and Alaska pollack . The east district of Gyeongju, Gampo-eup town,
735-475: A large cluster with three branch shaped ornaments and two deer horn shaped ornaments, and it is full of jade and spangles. The crown and cap was made by combining four gold plates decorated with bore patterns. It is believed to have been placed on top of a hat made of birch bark. Various types of patterns were precisely drilled into it to make it beautiful, including the T-charge pattern, the diamond-shaped pattern, and
840-466: A long history of marathon running). The race, mainly sponsored by Gyeongju and the district, attracted 13,600 participants in 2009 including about 1,600 foreigners. The economy of Gyeongju is diverse. Although tourism is important to the economy, most residents work in other fields. Over 27,000 are employed in manufacturing compared to roughly 13,500 in the hospitality industry. The number involved in tourism has remained constant over recent years, while
945-434: A luxuriant pine trees forest. The site was originally the location of the artificial forest of Doksan which was established for feng shui purposes during the Silla period. It was also used as a training ground for hwarang warriors and hunting spot for Silla kings, and was reported to be King Jinpyeong 's favorite location. In 1975, Hwangseong Park was designated a "city neighborhood park" and it currently consists of
1050-527: A more splendid and refined aspect. Relics excavated from various tombs of Silla have many ornaments from the ruling class of Silla. The styling of the outer part of the crowns suggests a Korean connection with the Scytho- Iranians ( Saka ) through contact with people of the Eurasian steppe . The crowns are a uniquely Korean product and show no Chinese influence. The Silla crown is also notably distinct from
1155-469: A much smaller area. The remainder of Gyeongju-gun became "Wolseong County." The county and city were reunited in 1995, creating Gyeongju City as it is today. When the Silla kingdom reached the peak of its development, Gyeongju was estimated to have a million residents, four times the city's population in 2008. In recent years, Gyeongju has followed the same trends that have affected the rest of South Korea. Like
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#17328689304601260-471: A nine-story wooden pagoda at Hwangnyongsa . During the Japanese invasions of Korea , the Gyeongju area became a heated battlefield, and Japanese forces burned the wooden structures at Bulguksa . Not all damage was due to invasions, however. In the early Joseon period, a great deal of damage was done to Buddhist sculptures on Namsan by Neo-Confucian radicals, who hacked arms and heads off statuary . In
1365-587: A railroad junction in the later years of the Japanese occupation , as the Donghae Nambu Line and Jungang line were established in preparation for the Second Sino-Japanese War and to exploit the rich resources of the eastern part of the Korean peninsula. Following liberation in 1945, Korea was plunged into turmoil, and Gyeongju was no exception. Returnees from abroad were numerous; a village for them
1470-509: A result of typhoons. On average, chronicles report a major flood every 27.9 years, beginning in the 1st century. Modern flood control mechanisms brought about a dramatic reduction in flooding in the later 20th century. The last major flood occurred in 1991, when the Deokdong Lake reservoir overflowed due to Typhoon Gladys . The executive branch of the government is headed by a mayor and vice-mayor. As in other South Korean cities and counties,
1575-413: A rice dish served with vegetable leaves, various banchan (small side dishes) and condiments such as gochujang (chili pepper paste) or ssamjang (a mixture of soybean paste and gochujang ) to wrap them together. Most ssambap restaurants in Gyeongju are gathered in the area of Daenuengwon or Grand Tumuli Park. Haejangguk is a kind of soup eaten as a hangover cure, and means "soup to chase
1680-455: A strong role in preserving the historical precincts of Gyeongju into modern times. The Gyeongju Choi and Gyeongju Lee clans [ ko ] also trace their ancestry to the Silla elites. Prominent members of the Gyeongju Lee clan include Goryeo period scholar Yi Che-hyŏn , and Joseon period scholars Yi Hwang and Yi Hang-bok . A contemporary notable figure from the Gyeongju Lee clan
1785-416: A system in which three additional capitals were established in politically important provinces outside Gaegyeong (nowadays Kaesong ), and Gyeongju was designated as "Donggyeong" ("East Capital"). However, that title was removed in 1012, the third year of King Hyeongjong 's reign, due to political rivalries at that time, though Gyeongju was later made the seat of Yeongnam Province. It had jurisdiction over
1890-567: A wealthy businessman who established the Yeungnam University Foundation. Some Korean family clans trace their origins to Gyeongju, often to the ruling elites of Silla. For example, the Gyeongju Kim clan claims descent from the rulers of later Silla. The Gyeongju Park clan [ ko ] and Gyeongju Seok clans [ ko ] trace their ancestry to Silla's earlier ruling families. These three royal clans played
1995-428: A wide area, including much of central eastern Yeongnam, although this area was greatly reduced in the 13th century. Under the subsequent Joseon (1392–1910) dynasties, Gyeongju was no longer of national importance, but remained a regional center of influence. In 1601, the city ceased to be the provincial capital. Over these centuries, the city suffered numerous assaults. In the 13th century, Mongol forces destroyed
2100-555: Is Lee Byung-chul , the founder of Samsung Group . However, not all Gyeongju clans date to the Silla period; for instance, the Gyeongju Bing clan was founded in the early Joseon period. The city remains an important centre of Korean Buddhism . East of the downtown area lies Bulguksa , one of South Korea's largest Buddhist temples; nearby is Seokguram , a famed Buddhist shrine. Traditional prayer locations are found on mountains throughout Gyeongju. Such mountains include Namsan near
2205-515: Is 1080, Poseok-ro, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. There are about 80 stores, including restaurants, cafes, bookstores, and gift shops. Hwangnidan-gil became popular through social networking sites, and neighboring Gyeongju's historical site is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The advantage of the Hwangnidan-gil is the result of voluntary efforts by merchants without help from local governments. Gyeongju has two main local newspapers;
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#17328689304602310-420: Is 44 centimeters in height and has a diameter of 19 centimeters. It is the largest golden crown from Silla discovered thus far. There are two parts to this crown. The outer band was discovered within the tomb while the inner cap was found outside of the tomb. The outer band consists of three tree-like branches which have three branches each. The Chinese character 出 chul is written three times on
2415-466: Is a tumulus located in Gyeongju , North Gyeongsang Province , South Korea. This tomb was built in the style of Silla . Excavation of the tomb began on April 16, 1973 and is believed to date probably from the fifth century but perhaps from the sixth century CE. The tomb was for an unknown king of the Silla Kingdom. There is a strong view that this tomb is the tomb of King Jijeung . The deceased
2520-431: Is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province , South Korea. It is the second largest city by area in the province after Andong , covering 1,324 km (511 sq mi) with a population of 264,091 people as of December 2012 . Gyeongju is 370 km (230 mi) southeast of Seoul , and 55 km (34 mi) east of Daegu . The city borders Cheongdo and Yeongcheon to
2625-534: Is a gold crown of Silla origin that is now housed at the Gyeongju National Museum . The crown is 30.7 centimeters in height, 18.4 centimeters in diameter, and 24.7 high when the ornaments hanging from the headband. There are five branches standing on the broad crown frame which is stamped with a wave pattern and stamped in a form of a dotted line. The headband is decorated with leaf-shapes and bent jade. The right and left most branches, along with
2730-509: Is a rare example of extant Silla painting and indicates a strong influence by the Korean Goguryeo Kingdom. The burial of horse trappings and the sacrifice of a horse with the king shows the importance of horse culture in Silla society and indicates the central role of the king in shamanism practiced by the people. The other side of the saddle flaps depict horsemen and the phoenix. The tomb also yielded many other treasures including
2835-749: Is adjacent to the sea, so fresh seafood and jeotgal (fermented salted seafood) are abundant. There are over 240 seafood restaurants in Gampo Harbor offering various dishes made with seafood caught in the sea, such as hoe (raw fish dishes), jeonboktang (an abalone soup), grilled seafood and others. As of 2007, Gyeongju had two stadiums, two gymnasiums, two tennis courts, one swimming pool and others as public sport facilities as well as various registered private sports venues. Many of public sport facilities are located in Hwangseong Park with an area of 1,022,350 m (11,004,500 sq ft) including
2940-516: Is centered in the fertile river basins near the Hyeongsan River . The main crops are rice, barley, beans and corn. Vegetables such as radish and napa cabbage and fruits are also important crops. Apples are mainly produced in the districts of Geoncheon-eup , Gangdong-myeon and Cheonbuk-myeon and Korean pear are cultivated in Geoncheon-eup and Angang-eup . The city plays a leading role in
3045-594: Is currently housed at the National Museum of Korea . At 27 centimeters in heights and 15 centimeters in diameter, it is the smallest Silla crown discovered thus far, and the simplest. Like a typical Silla crown, it has five main prongs. The tree-like prongs, shaped like the Chinese character 出 chul , which means “going out”, are placed on the front and sides of the headband. The tree-like prongs have four branches each. There are two antler-like prongs which flank
3150-417: Is due to the city's promotion of itself as a site for various festivals, conferences, and competitions. Every year since 1962, the Silla cultural festival has been held in October to celebrate and honour the dynasty's history and culture. It is one of the major festivals of Korea. It features athletic events, folk games, music, dance, literary contests and Buddhist religious ceremonies. Other festivals include
3255-491: Is estimated to be around 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) tall. Renovations have recently been completed. The tomb, in typical Silla style, is a wood-lined chamber running east to west and is covered in a mound of boulders and earth. This kind of tomb is said to follow the pattern of a Scytho-Iranian tomb in Pazyryk , Russia . The tomb is 47 metres in diameter, 157 metres in circumference, and 12.7 metres in height. The chamber of
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3360-497: Is exported. As the capital of Silla, commerce and trading in Gyeongju developed early on. Samguk sagi has records on the establishment of Gyeongdosi (capital area market) in March, 490 during King Soji 's reign, and Dongsi (East Market) in 509, during King Jijeung 's reign. In the 1830s, Gyeongju had five five-day markets which remained very active until the late 1920s. Due to its size Gyeongju Bunaejang (Gyeongju village market)
3465-568: Is home to the Ulsan base of the National Maritime Police. This base is responsible for security over a wide area of South Korea's east-central coast. Gyeongju has a cooler version of a humid subtropical climate ( Köppen : Cfa ). Due to its coastal location, Gyeongju has a slightly milder climate than the more inland regions of Korea. In general, however, the city's climate is typical of South Korea. It has hot summers and cool winters, with
3570-412: Is now in the Gyeongju National Museum and is a masterpiece of Korean art. The crown is 32.5 centimeters in height. There are three prongs forming the Chinese character 山 “mountain” on the front of the crown. There are also two prongs in the shape of a deer antler on the back. This crown also has two dangling chains of gold in the shape of leaves hanging from the end of the headband. Notably,
3675-402: Is regarded as a sacred place to followers of Cheondogyo. The cuisine of Gyeongju is generally similar to other areas of Gyeongsang Province : spicy and salty. However, it has distinctive tastes according to region and several local specialties known nationwide. The most famous of these is " Gyeongju bread " or "Hwangnam bread", a red-bean pastry first baked in 1939 and now sold throughout
3780-407: Is still important, particularly in the outlying regions of Gyeongju. According to the 2006 statistical yearbook of Gyeongju, rice fields occupy an area of 169.57 km (65.47 sq mi), which is 70% of the total cultivated acreage of 24,359 km (9,405 sq mi). The remaining 74.02 km (28.58 sq mi) consists of fields under other crops and farmsteads. Crop production
3885-464: Is where the treasures and coffin were placed. These burial pits were covered in dirt and sealed with clay and then the surface was covered with massive river boulders which were then covered with massive mounds of dirt. The heavy boulders also served to push the tombs deeper into the ground , thus making them even more inaccessible. The Silla burial mechanism made it so that grave robbers and foreign invaders could never steal their precious contents. Some of
3990-573: The Gyeongju Sinmun and the Seorabeol Sinmun . Both are weekly newspapers providing news via online as well and their headquarters are located in the neighborhood of Dongcheon-dong . The Gyeongju Sinmun was founded in 1989 and provides various news and critics on anything concerning Gyeongju. Its online newspaper, Digital Gyeongju Sinmun opened in December, 2000 to provide live local news out of
4095-481: The Heavenly Horse Tomb suggests that the three objects are, in fact, three different types of crowns for different occasions. South Korea has officially designated some Silla crowns as national treasures ( Korean : 국보 ; Hanja : 國寶 ; RR : gukbo ), others as treasures ( Korean : 보물 ; Hanja : 寶物 ; RR : bomul ). The crown
4200-655: The Samhan period in the early Common Era . Korean records, probably based on the dynastic chronicles of Silla, record that Saro-guk was established in 57 BCE, when six small villages in the Gyeongju area united under Bak Hyeokgeose . As the kingdom expanded, it changed its name to Silla. During the Silla period, the city was called "Seorabeol" (this toponym would eventually evolve into a Korean word for "capital city" as in Seoul ), "Gyerim" (lit. Rooster's forest), or "Geumseong" (lit. City of Gold or Metal i.e. Impenetrable Fortress). After
4305-623: The Tertiary period of the Cenozoic era , which consist of igneous rock , aqueous rock , porphyry, sandstone , and tuff . Low mountains are widespread throughout Gyeongju. The highest of these are the Taebaek Mountains , which run along the city's western border. Gyeongju's highest point, Munboksan ( 문복산 ), is 1,015 meters (3,330 ft) above sea level . This peak lies in Sannae-myeon , on
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4410-423: The crown of Baekje , the crown of Gaya , and the crown of Goguryeo kingdoms. The tree motif of the crown is commonly believed to represent the idea of the world tree which was an important tenet of Siberian and Iranian shamanism. However, some believe that the trident-like protrusions symbolize mountains or even birds. Additionally, the antler-like prongs also indicate a strong connection to Korean Shamanism or
4515-405: The unification of the peninsula up to Taedong River in 668 AD, Gyeongju became the center of Korean political and cultural life. The city was home to the Silla court and the great majority of the kingdom's elite. Its prosperity became legendary, and was reported as far away as Persia according to the 9th century book The Book of Roads and Kingdoms . The historical text Samguk yusa give
4620-491: The 1000 years of Silla heritage with vast number of ancient ruins and archaeological sites found throughout the city, which help to attract 6 million visiting tourists including 750,000 foreigners per year. The city government has parlayed its historic status into a basis for other tourism-related developments such as conferences, festivals, and resorts. Many Silla sites are located in Gyeongju National Park such as
4725-616: The 1st century BC to the 3rd century AD. There are 35 royal tombs and 155 tumuli in central Gyeongju, and 421 tumuli in the outskirts of the city. Silla burial mounds built after the period of the Three Kingdoms are found in central Gyeongju, including tumuli in the districts of Noseo-dong, Nodong-dong, Hwangnam-dong, Hwango-dong and Inwang-dong. Western Gyeongju has the tomb of King Muyeol in Seoak-dong, nearby tumuli in Chunghyo-dong and
4830-424: The 20th century, the city remained relatively small, no longer ranking among the major cities of Korea. During the early 20th century, many archaeological excavations were conducted, particularly inside the tombs which had remained largely intact over the centuries. A museum, the forerunner of the present-day Gyeongju National Museum , was inaugurated in 1915 to exhibit the excavated artifacts. Gyeongju emerged as
4935-407: The 20th century. From 1895 to 1955, the area was known as Gyeongju-gun ("Gyeongju County"). In the first decades of the century, the city center was known as Gyeongju-myeon, signifying a relatively rural rea. In 1931, the downtown area was designated Gyeongju-eup, in recognition of its increasingly urban nature. In 1955, Gyeongju-eup became Gyeongju-si ("Gyeongju City"), the same name as today, but with
5040-614: The Cherry Blossom Marathon in April, the Korean Traditional Liquor and Cake festival in March, and memorial ceremonies for the founders of the Silla Dynasty and General Kim Yu-sin . There were 15 hotels including Hilton Hotel , Gyeognju Chosun Hotel, and 276 lodging facilities, and 2,817 restaurants in Gyeongju in 2006. Gyeongju's emerging tourist attraction is the Hwangnidan-gil. The address of Hwangnidan-gil
5145-666: The Greek or the Etruscan people , especially because Silla tumuli also contain beads and glassware which came from as far away as the Mediterranean Sea. But research and historical documents suggest a Persian connection or even origin. Iron objects were introduced to the Korean peninsula through trade with chiefdoms and state-level societies in the Yellow Sea area in the 4th century BC, just at
5250-564: The Gyeongju City Council, with 21 members as of 2009. The present City Council was formed from the merger of the old Gyeongju City Council with the Wolseong County Council in 1991. Most subdivisions of Gyeongju elect a single member to represent them in the council, but Angang-eup is represented by two members because of its large population, and two of the representatives serve combined districts composed of two dong . Like
5355-548: The Joseon period, Gyeongju joined the rest of Gyeongsang in becoming a hotbed of the conservative Sarim faction. Notable Gyeongju members of this faction included the 15th century intellectual Yi Eonjeok . He has been enshrined in the Oksan Seowon since 1572. In modern times, the city produced writers such as Kim Dongni and Pak Mok-wol , both of whom did a great deal to popularize the region's culture, as well as Choe Jun ,
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#17328689304605460-776: The Moa-ri and Oya-ri villages of the Cheonbuk-myeon district, and in the Jukdong-ri village of the Oedong district. Dolmens are found in several places, especially in Gangdong-myeon and Moa-ri. Bronze Age relics found in Angye-ri village of Gangdong-myeon, Jukdong-ri and Ipsil-ri villages of Oedong-eup and graveyards in the Joyang-dong district represent the Samhan confederacy period of around
5565-542: The National Enterprise Committee; these oversee a total of 29 subdivisions. The two subsidiary organs are the Health Care Center and Agro-technology Center; these belong directly to the central administration and have a total of 4 subdivisions. In addition, there are 23 local administrative subdivisions. Each of these subdivisions has a local office with a small administrative staff. As of December 2008,
5670-736: The Royal Tomb Complex, the Cheomseongdae observatory that is one of the oldest surviving astronomical observatories in East Asia , the Anapji royal pond garden, and the Gyerim forest. Gyeongju National Museum hosts many important artifacts and national treasures that have been excavated from sites within the city and surrounding areas. Much of Gyeongju's heritage are related to the Silla kingdom's patronage of Buddhism . The grotto of Seokguram and
5775-614: The ancient phonemic character of the Silla language. Gyeongju is the main destination in South Korea for visitors interested in the cultural heritage of Silla and the architecture of Joseon. The city has 31 National Treasures , and Gyeongju National Museum houses 16,333 artifacts. There are four broad categories of relics and historical sites: tumuli and their artifacts; Buddhist sites and objects; fortresses and palace sites; and ancient architecture. Prehistoric remains including Mumun pottery have been excavated in central Gyeongju, in
5880-448: The band of the outer crown. There is a third part of the crown, namely the chains of gold with attached jade that may have been attached to the outer band. However, there is significant controversy over how the crown was supposed to be worn. Some believe that the three total parts were supposed to be worn together in one crown. However, the fact that the three parts of the crown have been found in three distinct areas of certain tombs, such as
5985-570: The border with Cheongdo . East of the Taebaek range, other western peaks such as Danseok Mountain lie within the Jusa subrange. The city's eastern peaks, including Tohamsan , belong to the Haean Mountains and Dongdae Mountains . Gyeongju's drainage patterns are shaped by these lines of mountains. The Dongdae Mountains divide a narrow foothills area on their east, and various internal river systems to
6090-765: The city center, Danseok-san and Obong-san in the west, and the low peak of Hyeong-san on the Gyeongju-Pohang border. Namsan in particular is often referred to as "the sacred mountain" due to the Buddhist shrines and statues which cover its slopes. In addition, Gyeongju is the birthplace of Cheondoism , an indigenous religion to Korea based on Korean shamanism , Taoism and Korean Buddhism, with elements drawn from Christianity . The religion evolved from Donghak (lit. East learning) disciplines established by Choe Je-u . His birthplace of Yongdamjeong , located in Hyeongok-myeon ,
6195-475: The city government employed 1,462 people. The city is divided into 23 administrative districts: 4 eup , 8 myeon , and 11 dong . These are the standard subdivisions of cities and counties in South Korea . The dong or neighborhood units occupy the area of the city center, which was formerly occupied by Gyeongju-eup. Eup are typically substantial villages, whereas myeon are more rural. The city's boundaries and designation changed several times in
6300-519: The city lost 16,557 people. This is primarily due to the migration of workers seeking employment in the major South Korean cities. In 2007, about 1,975 more people moved away from the city each year than moved in. During the same period, births exceeded deaths by roughly 450 per year, a significant number but not enough to offset the losses due to migration. Gyeongju has a small but growing population of non-Koreans. In 2007, there were 4,671 foreigners living in Gyeongju. This number corresponds to 1.73% of
6405-542: The city stood on the front lines, as North Korean forces pushed the Pusan Perimeter southward from Pohang. In the 1970s, Korea saw substantial industrial development, much of it centered in the Yeongnam region of which Gyeongju is a part. The POSCO steel mill in neighboring Pohang commenced operations in 1973, and the chemical manufacturing complex in Ulsan emerged in the same year. These developments helped to support
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#17328689304606510-466: The city was flourishing. In periodic markets, agricultural and marine products, industrial products, living necessaries, wild edible greens, herbs, and cattle are mainly traded. As of 2006, Gyeongju had eight regular markets, nine periodic markets and the Gyeongju department store. Traditional periodic markets declined and have become token affairs these days. Gyeongju is a major tourist destination for South Koreans as well as foreign visitors. It boasts
6615-549: The city's northeast, with 436 registered fishing craft in the city. Fishing industry in Gyeongju is generally in a declined status due to relatively inconvenient transport conditions and lacks of subordinate facilities. Much of the catch from these boats goes direct from the harbor to Gyeongju's many seafood restaurants. Mainly, sauries , anchovies, rays are harvested and a small number of abalone and wakame farming takes place. Local specialties include myeolchijeot (fermented anchovy), abalone, wakame, and squid. Agriculture
6720-441: The city's population in its peak period as 178,936 households, suggesting that the total population was almost one million. Many of Gyeongju's most famous sites date from this Unified Silla period, which ended in the beginning of 10th century by Goryeo (918–1392). In 940, the founder of Goryeo, King Taejo , changed the city's name to "Gyeongju", which literally means "Congratulatory district". In 987, as Goryeo introduced
6825-438: The country as a whole, Gyeongju has seen its population age and the size of families shrink. For instance, the mean household size is 2.8 people. Because this has fallen in recent years, there are more households in the city as of 2008 (105,009) than there were in 2003, even though the population has fallen. Like most of South Korea's smaller cities, Gyeongju has seen a steady drop in population in recent years. From 2002 to 2008,
6930-611: The country. Chalboribbang , made with locally produced glutinous barley , is also a pastry with a filling of red bean paste . Local specialties with a somewhat longer pedigree include beopju , a traditional Korean liquor produced by the Gyeongju Choe in Gyo-dong . The brewing skill and distill master were designated as Important Intangible Cultural Properties by South Korea government. Other local specialities include ssambap , haejangguk , and muk . Ssambap refers to
7035-411: The crowns are made of pure gold and were probably reserved for kings. Other crowns have been discovered made from gilt-bronze or gold-plated bronze, probably for princes or lesser kings. Silla crowns have been excavated from the 5th century Gold Crown Tomb , and the 6th century Gold Bell Tomb and Heavenly Horse Tomb . The adoption of Buddhism by the Silla kings in 528 A.D. led to the eventual decline of
7140-493: The district of Angang-eup , is home to Gyeongju City Hockey, which is one of four professional women's field hockey teams in South Korea. The team was formed in 1994, and is governed by the Sport and Youth Division of Gyeongju City. Although not an initial successful team, Gyeongju City Hockey won the first trophies both at National Division Hockey Championships and National Sports Festival in 2000. In 2002, Gyeongju City Hockey took
7245-425: The domestic production of beef and mushrooms . Button mushrooms harvested in Geoncheon-eup are canned and exported. The cultivated acreage and the number of households engaging in agriculture is however declining. A small amount of quarrying activity takes place in the city, with 46 active mines and quarries in Gyeongju. Most are engaged in the extraction of kaolin , fluorspar and Agalmatolite and Kaolin
7350-668: The east, it has no neighbor but the sea. Most of Gyeongju lies in the Gyeongsang Basin , but a few areas of the city belong to the Pohang Basin , such as Eoil-ri and Beomgok-ri in Yangbuk-myeon , and part of Cheonbuk-myeon . The Gyeongsang Basin areas consist of Bulguksa intrusive rock penetrating layers of sedimentary rocks , mainly granite and porphyry . By contrast, the Pohang Basin areas are made up of stratum that formed in
7455-401: The emergence of Gyeongju's manufacturing sector. Gyeongju lies in the southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province, and is bounded by the metropolitan city of Ulsan on the south. Within the province, its neighbors include Pohang on the north, Cheongdo County on the southwest, and Yeongcheon on the northwest. Gyeongju is located about 50 kilometers (31 mi) north of Busan . To
7560-620: The end of the Warring States Period but before the Western Han dynasty began. The delicate nature of the gold crowns comes from the fact they were made from cutting thin sheet gold. The crown is impractical to wear and some believe that the crown may have been made specifically as a burial good. There may also be a connection with ancient Japan because the gogok were used extensively by the ruling elite of that society as well. These comma-shaped jewels of jade and glass may have symbolized
7665-419: The fruits and the bounty of trees. The use of many tiny gold mirrors dangling from the crown has led some to hypothesize that the crown, worn in sunlight, would be a dazzling spectacle reinforcing the tradition role of the Silla king as the symbolic representation of the sun on earth. The crowns come in two major parts. The inner part is a golden cap, which may have been covered in silk. This cap would sit within
7770-399: The ground to the sky, and birds flying in the sky. The Silla Geumgwan tells us that the Silla people actively interacted and flexibly embraced other cultures. The Gold crown from Hwangnamdaechong ( Korean : 황남대총 북분 금관 ; Hanja : 皇南大塚北墳金冠 ; RR : Hwangnamdaechong bukbun geumgwan ) is currently housed in the National Museum of Korea and is one of
7875-556: The head band . Additionally, the outer head band also has two antler-like protrusions on the left and right side. All of the protrusions have jade and glass beads and tiny golden mirrors that dangle from the branches. On the sides of the headband also are two chains of gold with leaf-like decorations that end with jade jewels. These two chains hang below the head band. The inner crown is a triangle-shaped hat made of thin sheet gold and has two wing-like decorations on it. The wings are believed to relate to Korean shamanistic beliefs. The crown
7980-426: The head girdle. This crown is particularly noted for its abundant use of jade. This crown may have been made for a queen and there is a significant controversy about who was buried in the tomb. This crown, known as Gold crown from Geumnyeongchong Tumulus ( Korean : 금령총 금관 ; Hanja : 金鈴塚金冠 ; RR : Geumnyeongchong geumgwan ; MR : Kŭmnyŏngch'ong kŭmgwan ),
8085-499: The importance of the reindeer. A crown in Afghanistan (see image) bears a strong resemblance to the other Korean crowns which is also evidence of a Scytho-Iranian connection. Additionally, the sophisticated metalworking of the crowns of Silla show that Silla gold smiths held an advanced knowledge of working with gold. Some have even theorized that these advanced goldworking techniques, such as granulation and filigree , came from
8190-461: The kingdom's leading figures, not only rulers but scholars such as Seol Chong and Ch'oe Ch'i-wŏn , and generals like Kim Yu-sin , the leader of the Hwarang warriors. The city continued to contribute to traditional Korean thought in subsequent dynasties. Relatives of Ch'oe Ch'i-wŏn such as Ch'oe Ŏn-wi and Ch'oe Hang played an important role in establishing the structures of early Goryeo. In
8295-418: The left and right side of the main band. The tree-like prongs of the crown have been interpreted by some scholars as the Chinese character for “mountain”. Decorations of a deer antler are attached to the ends of the crown. 77 pieces of jade were adorned on the crown. Sixteen pieces of comma-shaped blue jade were attached to the Chinese characters, nine pieces of jade on the deer antler, and eleven pieces on
8400-468: The limit as a weekly newspaper and to establish mutual information exchanges from Gyeongju locals. In 2001, Gyeongju Sinmun started to present Gyeongju Citizen Awards to people who try to develop the local industry and economy, culture and education, and welfare service. Since 2003, the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant headquarter co-hosts the awards with Gyeongju Sinmun. The Seorabeol Sinmun
8505-490: The longest chains on the outer edge to the smallest chains closest to the front of the crown. The Suhasik also hold blue jade and golden leaves on the end of the chains. There is still a controversy of whether the Suhasik are actually a part of the crown, namely because the Suhasik were found separate from the crown when excavated. The crown has three tree-like prongs with three branches each and also has two antler-like prongs on
8610-436: The major economic driver, but manufacturing activities have developed due to its proximity to major industrial centers such as Ulsan and Pohang. Gyeongju is connected to the nationwide rail and highway networks, which facilitate industrial and tourist traffic. The early history of Gyeongju is closely tied to that of the Silla kingdom, of which it was the capital. Gyeongju first enters non-Korean records as Saro-guk , during
8715-505: The manufacturing sector added about 6,000 jobs from 1999 to 2003. The manufacturing sector is closely tied to nearby cities, utilizing Gyeongju's transit links with Ulsan , Pohang , and Daegu . As in Ulsan and Daegu the automotive parts industry plays an important role. Of the 1,221 businesses incorporated in Gyeongju almost a third are involved in auto-parts manufacture. Fishing takes place in coastal towns, especially in Gampo-eup in
8820-513: The mayor is elected directly, while the vice-mayor is appointed. As of 2019, the mayor is Joo Nak-young, who was elected on June 13, 2018, in the local elections . He is Gyeongju's fifth mayor to be directly elected, the sixth to preside over the city in its present form, and the 31st mayor since 1955. Like most heads of government in the Yeongnam region, he is a member of the conservative Liberty Korea Party . The legislative branch consists of
8925-439: The mayor, the council members were last elected in 2006, except for a small number elected in more recent by-elections . The central administration is composed of a City Council committee, five departments, two subsidiary organs, a chamber (the auditor), and six business offices. The five departments are the departments of Planning and Culture, Autonomous Administration, Industry and Environment, Construction and Public Works, and
9030-557: The middle branches of the five branches, are composed of the Chinese character 出 in three prongs. The tips of the branches are decorated with a budding flower ornament. Two crossing gold belts having the tip on the each 4 dividing points of the crown frame, construct the inside framework. At either side of the crown frame, styled-earrings are dangling from the headband. Gyeongju Gyeongju ( Korean : 경주 , pronounced [kjʌ̹ŋ.dʑu] ), historically known as Seorabeol ( 서라벌 , pronounced [sʰʌ̹.ɾa̠.bʌɭ] ),
9135-465: The most popular tourist destinations in South Korea . The city of Gyeongju was united with the nearby rural Gyeongju County in 1995 and is now an urban–rural complex. It is similar to 53 other small and medium-sized cities with a population under 300,000 people in South Korea. As well as its rich historical heritage, Gyeongju today is affected by the economic, demographic, and social trends that have shaped modern South Korean culture . Tourism remains
9240-435: The most popular exhibits there, along with the two Bangasayusang . It is a National Treasure of Korea and was named as one on December 12, 1978. The height of the crown is 27.5 centimeters and the gold chains and pendants that dangle from the crown, known as Suhasik are 13 to 30.3 centimeters in length. The crown is known for its abundant use of jade. The Suhasik are grouped into two groups of three and are arranged with
9345-481: The multi-purpose Gyeongju Public Stadium, Football Park (with seven football fields and one futsal field), and one gymnasium , as well as Horimjang field for gukgung or Korean traditional archery and a ssireum wrestling ring. In addition, it contains a gateball field, an inline skating rink, jogging courses, and cycling roads. The Gyeongju Public Stadium was completed in 1982 and can accommodate 20,000 people at capacity. Angang Field Hockey Stadium, located in
9450-439: The practice of burying gold artifacts in tombs and by the end of the sixth century the practice had stopped. Silla's art was initially influenced by Goguryeo, but later by Baekje. In addition, Silla embraced Chinese culture and southern cultures such as India, and this multicultural influence can also be seen in the gold crown. As a result, Silla has developed a culture of ambition and delicate style, and after unification, it shows
9555-645: The south, just west of the Dongdae range, drains into the Taehwa River , which flows into the Bay of Ulsan. The Gyeongju coastline runs for 36.1 kilometers (22.4 mi) between Pohang in the north and Ulsan in the south. There are no islands or large bays, only the small indentations made by the small streams flowing off the Dongdae ridgeline. Because of this, the city has no significant ports, though there are 12 small harbors. One such harbor in Gyeongju's southeast corner
9660-511: The temple of Bulguksa were the first Korean sites to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995. In addition, the ruins of the old Hwangnyongsa temple, said to have been Korean's largest, are preserved on the slopes of Tohamsan . Various Silla-era stone carvings of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are found on mountainsides throughout the city, particularly on Namsan . A significant portion of Gyeongju's tourist traffic
9765-413: The tomb contained a lacquered wooden coffin which had burial goods placed around it. A total of 11,500 artifacts were recovered from the tomb. The name of the tomb derives from a famous painting of a white horse which is depicted on a birch bark saddle flap, also referred to as a mud-guard. The horse, a Cheonma ( Korean Flying horse ), has eight legs and is depicted with wings on its feet. This painting
9870-417: The tomb of Kim Yu-sin . The tombs of Queen Seondeok , King Sinmun , King Hyogong and King Sinmu are at the base of Namsan mountain while the tombs of King Heongang , King Jeonggang , King Gyeongmyeong and King Gyeongae are on the slopes of the mountain. In addition to the tombs, tumuli have been found surrounding Namsan mountain and in the western part of Geumgang mountain. Artifacts excavated from
9975-413: The tombs of Geumgwanchong (gold crown tomb), Seobongchong (western phoenix tomb), Cheonmachong (heavenly horse tomb) and northern and southern parts of Tomb No. 98 are good examples of Silla culture. Gyeongju has produced notable individuals throughout its history. As the capital of Silla, Gyeongju was a center of culture in its heyday. Notable Gyeongju residents in the Silla period included most of
10080-537: The total population, more than double the figure from 2003. The growth was largely in immigrants from other Asian countries, many of whom are employed in the automotive parts industry. Countries of origin whose numbers have risen include the Philippines , China, Taiwan , Indonesia , and Vietnam . The number of residents from Japan, the United States, and Canada fell significantly in the 2003–2007 period. The city has
10185-593: The tree-like prongs of this crown have four branches instead of the more common used three branch motif. There is still controversy of how this crown was to be worn because of where it was found in the tomb in relation to the coffin. The neo-Lines who interacted with the Sogdians on the Silk Road embraced the culture of nomads. Nomads perceived nature in three dimensions: low, medium, and high. This way of thinking appears as an ornament of deer, which means ground, trees connecting
10290-574: The two side tree-like prongs. Additionally, there are birds on top of each branch. On the upper and lower part of the surface are two-lined spot patterns made with a stamping technique. Hanging ornaments hang at the right and left side of the crown frame. This crown has the distinction of being the only gold crown made solely of gold without any jade accoutrements. The Gold crown from Seobongchong Tumulus ( Korean : 서봉총 금관 ; Hanja : 瑞鳳塚金冠 ; RR : Seobongchong geumgwan ; MR : Sŏbongch'ong kŭmgwan )
10395-522: The west, Ulsan to the south and Pohang to the north, while to the east lies the coast of the Sea of Japan . Numerous low mountains—outliers of the Taebaek range —are scattered around the city. Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla (57 BC – 935 AD), which ruled about two-thirds of the Korean peninsula at its height between the 7th and 9th centuries, for close to one thousand years. Later Silla
10500-620: The west. Most of the city's interior is drained by the small Hyeongsan River , which flows north from Ulsan and meets the sea at Pohang Harbor. The Hyeongsan's chief tributaries include the Bukcheon and Namcheon, which join it in Gyeongju Basin . The southwestern corner of Gyeongju, on the far side of the Taebaek range, drains into the Geumho River , which then flows into the Nakdong . A small area of
10605-510: Was a prosperous and wealthy country, and Gyeongju was the fourth largest city in the world. A vast number of archaeological sites and cultural properties from this period remain in the city. Gyeongju is often referred to as "the museum without walls". Among such historical treasures, Seokguram grotto, Bulguksa temple, Gyeongju Historic Areas and Yangdong Folk Village are designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO . The many major historical sites have helped Gyeongju become one of
10710-475: Was constructed in present-day Dongcheon-dong . In a period marked by widespread conflict and unrest, the Gyeongju area became particularly notorious for the level of guerrilla activity in the mountains. Despite the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, most of Gyeongju was spared from the fighting, and remained under South Korean control throughout the conflict. However, for a brief time in late 1950 portions of
10815-464: Was established in 1993, however, from November 15, 2000, to November 10, 2005, its publication was stopped for financial difficulties after the 1997 Asian economic crisis had left a strong impact on the nationwide economy. Since 2006, Seorabeol Sinmun presents Serabeol Awards to people having devouring to develop Gyeongju. Heavenly Horse Tomb Cheonmachong ( Korean : 천마총 ; lit. sky horse tomb ), formerly Tomb No. 155 ,
10920-444: Was interred in the tomb. Besides the crown and girdle, the chamber also held gold bracelets and gold rings for every finger of the buried king. The tomb also contained a chest full of burial goods which including the aforementioned painted saddle flap, and also iron kettles, pottery, bronze vessels, lacquerware, saddles, and a 98 centimeter long sword. The crown is considered one of the most valuable gold crowns in Silla. It features
11025-568: Was referred to as one of the two leading markets in the Yeongnam area, along with Daegu Bunaejang . Transportation developed in the late period of the Japanese occupation , as the Jungang Line and the Daegu Line and the connecting route between Pohang and the northwestern part of Japan were set up, leading to increasing population and developing commerce. After the 1960s, traditional periodic markets gradually transformed into regular markets as
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