Gyeongju National Museum, South Korea

The museum holdings are largely devoted to relics of the Silla (or Shilla) kingdom, of which Gyeongju was the capital.

Gyeongju National Museum: 186 Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

This ancient bell constructed in the seventh century is at the one corner of the museum.

The first museum building I entered displayed ancient artifacts that originated from foreign lands.  This shows that even in the seventh century, international commerce was active.

Many items came by across the ocean.

New ideologies came into Silla.

Japanese influences.

From China

From Goguryeo Dynasty (one of the ancient Three Kingdoms in the Korean Peninsula).

From Eurasia

From northern Korea (Gojoseon) two thousand years ago.

Through the Silk Road

From Japan in the third century.

From China in the third century

From China in the sixth century

Museum building on history of Silla Dynasty.  Gyeongju was Shilla’s capital.

History of Silla Dynasty until the year 900, when the Goryeo Dynasty conquered it.

Start of the Silla Dynasty.

Artifacts found in Geumgwanchong Tome

Products through Silk Road

Artifacts found in Hwangnamdaechong

Artifacts found in Cheonmachong Tomb

The third museum building displays Buddhism in Silla.

Artifacts found in Hwangboksa Temple

General collection

There were many Buddhist temples in Silla

These two tops are duplicates of originals in Bulguksa temple.

The fourth museum building displays artifacts found in Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond area.

This is a diagram of the original Donggung Palace complex.  Only part of the complex is reconstructed.

In the museum complex is this bell constructed in the Silla period.