Bulguksa Temple佛國寺

Bulguksa Temple was founded in the 15th year of King Beopheung of Silla, following his mother's wishes, with prayers 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 current scale. During the Imjin War, most of its buildings and cultural heritage were burned or plundered. Until before 1920, only some buildings and pagodas remained, but original restoration and repairs have since been carried out. Currently, it stands as a grand temple possessing cultural heritage, including seven National Treasures. Seokguram Grotto is located on a ridge about 3 km from Bulguksa Temple. Seokguram is centered around a seated Sakyamuni Buddha statue facing the East Sea, considered a masterpiece of the Orient. Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto were designated UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites on December 6, 1995. As a result, these two sites are recognized both domestically and internationally as the essence of Silla Buddhist culture.