Skip Navigation

Heritage Search

Natural Monument

울진 성류굴 ( 蔚珍 聖留窟 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Natural Monument
Name of Cultural Properties

Quantity 137,454㎡ (Designated area)
Designated Date 1963.05.10
Age The Paleozoic Era(Est. 250 million years ago)
Address San 30, Gusan-ri, Geunnam-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Seongnyugul Cave in Uljin is near the valley of Buryeongsa Temple and is composed of limestone and tinged with grey, orange, and white. In the cave is a big water pool. Seongnyugul Cave, which means "the cave where the holy Buddha stayed,” got its name because Buddhist statues were hidden in the cave to keep them away from the Japanese army during the Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion, 1592). According to legend, during the Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion), 500 inhabitants hid in this cave but all suffocated to death because the Japanese army blocked its entrance. In the cave are 9 pools without water, 3 waterpools 4-5 meters deep, stalactites hanging from the roof of the cave looking like icicles, stalagmites coming up from the floor of a cave formed by drops from stalactite, stone pillars formed through the connection of both formations, and various cave formations.