첨성대

Introduction

Cheomseongdae is an ancient, precious Silla astronomical observatory in Gyeongju. One of the oldest surviving astronomical observatories in East Asia, it is archaic and precious, a stately sight in Gyeongju. Cheomseongdae Observatory stands on open ground in central Gyeongju, an ancient, distinctive and renowned Silla-era observatory, regarded as one of the oldest existing astronomical observatories in East Asia (and the world), a National Treasure of Korea and a precious witness to the highly advanced science and civilization of Silla. Built in the Silla era (around the 7th century AD), it has stood intact and archaic for over a thousand years, truly precious. Its form is archaic, distinctive and beautiful: a cylindrical stone structure (wider at the base, slightly narrowing upward) built meticulously from hundreds of stone blocks, archaic, balanced, graceful and unique. This seemingly simple building is said to embody rich and subtle astronomical meaning (the number of stone tiers and stones is said to correspond to the year's solar terms, months and days, embodying the astronomical wisdom of the Silla people). In the past, the people of Silla observed the heavens and the movements of the sun, moon and stars from this observatory to guide farming and study the calendar, a vivid crystallization of Silla's advanced astronomy, science and civilization, archaic, precious and admirable. Visitors can admire this ancient observatory from nearby (to protect the relic, viewing is usually from a respectful distance), reflecting on the wisdom and civilization of the Silla people who gazed at the stars, archaic and stately. The surrounding grounds are open; beautiful in spring with rape flowers and in autumn with muhly grass. A visit to Gyeongju and its archaic, precious Cheomseongdae is a stately sight.

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