Bulguksa Temple

Bulguksa Temple was founded in the 15th year of King Beopheung of Silla, according to his mother's wishes, to pray for the peace of the nation and the well-being of its people. In 751, the 10th year of King Gyeongdeok, Prime Minister Kim Daeseong rebuilt the temple, establishing its present scale. However, during the Imjin War, most of its buildings and cultural heritage were destroyed or plundered. Subsequently, until the early 20th century, only a few desolate buildings and pagodas remained, but through continuous restoration and repair work, it has regained its present appearance. Today, it stands as a grand temple, home to cultural heritage including seven National Treasures. Seokguram Grotto is located on a mountain ridge, approximately 3 km away from Bulguksa Temple. Seokguram Grotto, centered around the main seated Buddha statue facing the East Sea, is considered a masterpiece of the East. Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto were inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site on December 6, 1995. Consequently, both sites are recognized domestically and internationally as the pinnacle of Silla Buddhist culture.