Gyeongju National Museum
By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter
Gyeongju National Museum displays some 150,000 treasures from the prehistoric era and from the Silla Kingdom's one thousand year reign to the Joseon Dynasty. The museum displays lively remnants from the prospering Silla Kingdom, 1,300 years ago (57 BC - AD 935), with splendid craftworks such as the Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok The Great and a gold crown from Cheonmachong.
Located in Kyongju Historic Areas, North Geyongsang Province, the museum was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in December 2000. Most noticeable is how well the cultural heritage has been preserved.
The museum consists of an Archeology Hall, Art Hall, Anapji Hall and an Exhibition Area in the Museum Garden with about 3,000 cultural properties.
Archeology Hall has a Prehistoric-Proto Three Kingdoms Room, Silla Room and Gukeun Memorial Room, with relics collected around Gyeongju City.
Consisting of the Historic Room, Sculpture Room, Metal Craft Room and Hwangnyongsa Room, the Art Hall displays some 700 articles excavated from Anapji pond of Kyongju.
Anapji Hall enables visitors to experience the life of royal families. Pottery with a stamped design, green-glazed monster tile, gilt-bronze snuffers and gilt-bronzed dragon heads are but a few of the items on display.
The museum also provides education programs for children. They can make their own rubbed copies of various designs engraved on tiles by using a frottage technique with designs found on the Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok. Those curious about the program's offerings can book through the Web site https://gyeongju.museum.go.kr.
Gyeongju National Museum is open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. weekdays and to 7 p.m. on weekends. It is free to the public every fourth Saturday of the month. For more information call (054) 740-7518,7538.
