Hurung Royal Tomb
Encyclopedia
The Hurŭng Royal Tomb is a 15th-century mausoleum
located in Ryongjong-ri, Kaepung
-gun near Kaesong
, North Korea
. The site consists of two separate burial mounds, which contain the remains of Jongjong
, the second king of the Joseon dynasty
and son of its founder Taejo
, as well as the body of his wife, Queen Jongan. Construction on the tombs began after Jongan's death in 1412, and was only completed after Jongjong himself died in 1419. Both tombs consist of a burial mound ringed with a carved granite base; they are surrounded by statues of the twelve zodiac animals. The "spirit road" up to the tombs is lined with statues of military officers and Confucian officials.
Despite being the tomb of a Joseon monarch, the site was excluded from the World Heritage Site
"Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
" as it is located in North Korea. It is one of only two royal tombs from that dynasty in the country; the other, Cherung
, belongs to Queen Sinui, wife of the dynasty's founder Taejo
, who died before her husband became king and moved the capital to Seoul
.
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
located in Ryongjong-ri, Kaepung
Kaepung
Kaep'ung is a county in North Hwanghae province, North Korea. Formerly part of the Kaesong urban area, the county was merged with North Hwanghae when Kaesong was demoted in 2003...
-gun near Kaesong
Kaesong
Kaesŏng is a city in North Hwanghae Province, southern North Korea , a former Directly Governed City, and the capital of Korea during the Koryo Dynasty. The city is near Kaesŏng Industrial Region and it contains the remains of the Manwoldae palace. It was formally named Songdo while it was the...
, North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
. The site consists of two separate burial mounds, which contain the remains of Jongjong
Jeongjong of Joseon
King Jeongjong of Joseon , born Yi Bang-gwa, whose changed name is Yi Gyeong, was the second king of Joseon Dynasty . He was the second son of the founder and first king of the dynasty, King Taejo of Joseon....
, the second king of the Joseon dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
and son of its founder Taejo
Taejo of Joseon
Taejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
, as well as the body of his wife, Queen Jongan. Construction on the tombs began after Jongan's death in 1412, and was only completed after Jongjong himself died in 1419. Both tombs consist of a burial mound ringed with a carved granite base; they are surrounded by statues of the twelve zodiac animals. The "spirit road" up to the tombs is lined with statues of military officers and Confucian officials.
Despite being the tomb of a Joseon monarch, the site was excluded from the World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
"Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty refers to the 40 tombs of members of the Korean Joseon Dynasty . These tombs are scattered in over 18 locations across South Korea. They were built to honour and respect the ancestors and their achievements, and assert their royal authority...
" as it is located in North Korea. It is one of only two royal tombs from that dynasty in the country; the other, Cherung
Cherung Royal Tomb
The Cherŭng Royal Tomb is a 15th-century mausoleum located in Chi-dong, Kaepung-gun near Kaesong, North Korea. The site contains the body of Queen Sinui, first wife of Joseon dynasty founder Yi Songgye. Construction on the tombs began after her death in 1392; as she died before her husband...
, belongs to Queen Sinui, wife of the dynasty's founder Taejo
Taejo of Joseon
Taejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
, who died before her husband became king and moved the capital to Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
.