Emille Bell (Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok the Great)

About this place

The Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok the Great was begun by Gyeongdeok, the 35th king of Silla, in memory of his late father King Seongdeok, and completed in 771 by his son King Hyegong. At the top of the bell are the dragon-shaped loop (yongnyu) and sound pipe (eumtong). The body is decorated from top with a band of arabesque lotus scrollwork, four rectangular panels (yugwak), four flying apsara figures (bicheonsang), two striking spots (dangja), and at the bottom an arabesque and lotus flower band in relief. The bell is the greatest masterpiece among Korean bells, with its elegant form, gorgeous ornamentation, and beautifully resonant tone with long reverberation.