Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty

Overview

The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty form a collection of 40 tombs scattered over 18 locations. Built over five centuries, from 1408 to 1966, the tombs honoured the memory of ancestors, showed respect for their achievements, asserted royal authority, protected ancestral spirits from evil and provided protection from vandalism. Spots of outstanding natural beauty were chosen for the tombs which typically have their back protected by a hill as they face south toward water and, ideally, layers of mountain ridges in the distance. Alongside the burial area, the royal tombs feature a ceremonial area and an entrance. In addition to the burial mounds, associated buildings that are an integral part of the tombs include a T-shaped wooden shrine, a shed for stele, a royal kitchen and a guards’ house, a red-spiked gate and the tomb keeper’s house. The grounds are adorned on the outside with a range of stone objects including figures of people and animals. The Joseon Tombs completes the 5,000 year history of royal tombs architecture in the Korean peninsula.

Selection Criteria

(iii)(iv)

Components(18 locations)

• •Sareung Cluster1319-003
• •Uireung Cluster1319-011
• •Olleung Cluster1319-014
• •Taereung Cluster1319-009
• •Jangneung Cluster1319-006
• •Seolleung Cluster1319-007
• •Heolleung Cluster1319-008
• •Seooreung Cluster1319-012
• •Jangneung Cluster1319-016
• •Yungneung Cluster1319-018
• •Yeongneung Cluster1319-005
• •Jeongneung Cluster1319-010
• •Jangneung Cluster1319-017
• •Donggureung Cluster1319-001
• •Hongyureung Cluster1319-002
• •Gwangneung Cluster\t1319-004
• •Seosamreung Cluster1319-013
• •Pajusamreung Cluster1319-015

Details

Countries

Republic of Korea

ISO Codes

KR

Area

1,891.2 ha

Coordinates

37.1972, 128.4528