Wednesday 21 October 2015

Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong

When I received this postcard I was extremely happy for two reasons: it was my first postcard from North Korea and with it I reached 100 countries with UNESCO sites! And the best of all is that it was completely unexpected!  

Dragon sculpture in Manwoldae
This postcard was sent by Gisela

Situated in Kaesong city, in the south of the country, the site consists of 12 separate components, which together testify to the history and culture of the Koryo Dynasty from the 10th to 14th centuries. The geomantic layout of the former capital city of Kaesong, its palaces, institutions and tomb complex, defensive walls and gates embody the political, cultural, philosophical and spiritual values of a crucial era in the region’s history.  The monuments inscribed also include an astronomical and meteorological observatory, two schools (including one dedicated to educating national officials) and commemorative steles. The site testifies to the transition from Buddhism to neo-Confucianism in East Asia and to the assimilation of the cultural spiritual and political values of the states that existed prior to Korea’s unification under the Koryo Dynasty. The integration of Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist and geomantic concepts is manifest in the planning of the site and the architecture of its monuments. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1278/

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