Seokguram

Seokguram Grotto is a Buddhist temple in South Korea built in the 8th century during the Unified Silla period. It sits on the eastern slopes of Mount Tohamsan near Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. The grotto was traditionally attributed to the efforts of Prime Minister Kim Daeseong, with construction placing in the mid-8th century during the reign of King Gyeongdeok.

The central feature is a large granite statue of Vairocana Buddha, seated on a lotus throne and about 3.5 meters tall. The Buddha is surrounded by a series of smaller bodhisattvas and attendants arranged along the interior walls. The sculpted figures are carved from stone and integrated with the architectural setting to convey cosmic order.

Architecturally, Seokguram is a man-made grotto carved into a granite cliff. The circular chamber is capped by a domed ceiling and a carved façade that frames a single doorway, with light entering through openings to illuminate the statue and figures.

The site is celebrated as a masterwork of Buddhist art from the Unified Silla period and is widely regarded as a pinnacle of East Asian sculpture and temple architecture. Seokguram, together with the Bulguksa Temple complex, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Preservation and management fall under national protection; the grotto is maintained to preserve stone sculpture, lime plaster, and the surrounding environment, and public access is regulated to minimize damage.