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Historic Site

Tomb of King Muryeong and Royal Tombs, Gongju

공주 무령왕릉과 왕릉원 ( 公州 武寧王陵과 王陵園 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Historic Site
Name of Cultural Properties Tomb of King Muryeong and Royal Tombs, Gongju
Quantity 308,929㎡
Designated Date 1963.01.21
Age Mid-Baekje
Address San 5-1, Geumseong-dong, Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do

Located in Geumseong-dong, Gongju, these are the tombs of the Baekje Dynasty. The seven tombs located on the southern slope of Songsan Mountain are of Baekje kings including King Muryeong. Among the seven royal tombs, three were excavated west of a valley (Nos. 5-6, tomb of King Muryeong), and four, in the northeast (Nos. 1-4). These six were excavated during the Japanese colonial rule, while the royal tomb of King Muryeong was found in 1971 during the repair work for Nos. 5-6. Tombs numbered 1-5 are of the stone chamber tomb with tunnel entrance type. The walls of the chamber are plastered, and the coffin base is made by laying pebbles (Nos. 1-4) or bricks (No. 5). When the excavation work started, Tombs 1-4 had already been burgled, but Tomb 5 was intact. Tomb 6, often called Mural Tomb in Songsan-ri, is of the brick chamber type. It has a rectangular chamber whose walls are decorated with mural paintings of stars, sun, moon, and gods of death. Another brick chamber tomb, which is that of King Muryeong, is decorated with lotus patterns and painting of the stars. There, archaeologists found many relics including a stone monument with inscriptions on the dead person. Influenced by China (tomb type) and Goguryeo (mural painting), the tomb is regarded as a precious asset for the study of Baekje society.