Seolleung & Jeongneung Tombs (built from 1494-1544)

Seolleung & Jeongneung Tombs 

(built from 1494-1544)

The Seolleung and Jeongneung tombs are the burial grounds of two Joseon kings and one Joseon queen. The westernmost tomb (at far left on the map) belongs to King Seongjong (r. 1469-94), the ninth king of the Joseon dynasty. 

His first wife, Queen Han, died at age 18 and is buried near Munsan, north of Seoul. Another wife, Queen Yun, is buried here because she gave birth the the king's second son (the future King Jungjong) in 1506. Queen Yun outlived her husband by 35 years and was buried in a splendid tomb to the east of her husband. 

Her grave has a stone fence encircling the mound, whereas her husband's tomb, on the left, has a retaining wall as well. Statues of civilian and military officials and their horses stand at attention in front of the graves. South of the tombs is a single T-shaped shrine of the type commonly found at Joseon-era royal tombs. There are also several ancillary buildings for storing material used in sacrifices.

Queen Yun had a deep interest in Buddhism and founded the nearby temple Bongeunsa.

The other tomb on the site is Jeongneung tomb, located at the far right of the site plan. This is the burial ground of King Jungjong, the 11th king of Joseon (r. 1506-44). He was a son of Seongjong, and was originally buried at Goyang near Munsan, north of Seoul. However, his third queen thought it would be better to have him re-interred nearer his father. She expressed a wish to be buried alongside him, but this wish was never carried out, and his tomb stands alone. In front of it is another T-shaped shrine.

The place is not well visible outside and one needs to pay an entrance fee of KRW800 for students. It literally has two large mounds (like a hill) were a king and a queen is said to be buried. The landmark is a UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) site so is also a good place to experience Korea’s ancient history.

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