Tomb of Queen Seondeok

Tomb of Queen Seondeok

The Tomb of Queen Seondeok is located at 79-2 Bomun-dong, Gyeongju, and is the burial site of Queen Seondeok, the 27th ruler of the Silla Dynasty (57 BC–935 AD), who reigned from 632 to 647. Historical records state that King Jinpyeong had no sons, and Queen Seondeok, his eldest daughter, was the first female monarch to ascend the throne in the history of Silla.

During her 16-year reign, Queen Seondeok oversaw the construction of Bunhwangsa Temple and Cheomseongdae Observatory. Notably, the completion of the nine-story wooden pagoda at Hwangnyongsa Temple, the largest of its kind in Silla, marked the golden age of Buddhist architecture in the Silla period. Additionally, she supported and nurtured key figures such as General Kim Yusin and King Jinpyeong’s successor, King Muyeol (Kim Chunchu), laying the foundation for the eventual unification of the Three Kingdoms. However, being a female ruler proved to be a vulnerability—her reign was marked by political instability and constant power struggles, which ultimately led to her death during this turbulent period.

The tomb has a circumference of 73 meters and is a circular earthen mound. Its base is constructed from natural stones, with no ornamental features, making it smaller than other royal tombs. Below the mound lie the ruins of Silla’s Four Heavenly Kings Temple, known as a national protector temple, along with the tomb of King Seongdeok, all of which hold significant historical research value. The tranquil and lush grassy surroundings of the tomb also make it a pleasant spot for a peaceful walk.

Royal Tomb of Seondaek of Shilla

Why Visit: The earliest known tomb of a queen from the Silla Dynasty

Continent: Asia

Country/Region: Korea

Province/State: North Gyeongsang Province

City: Gyeongju