Gyeongju Tomb of King Sinmu

About this place

This is the tomb of the 45th king of Silla, King Sinmu (r. 839). His personal name was Kim Ujing, and he was a cousin of King Heuigang. After his father was defeated in a succession struggle following King Heungdeok's death, he fled to Cheonghaejin, then borrowed General Jang Bogo's forces to expel King Minae and ascend the throne. He died of illness only three months after taking the throne. He was said to be buried northwest of Jehyeong. This tomb is located in Dongbang-dong in the southeast of the capital. The hill to the southeast of the tomb is called Hyeongjaesan. It is a circular earthen mound 3.4 m high and 15 m in diameter with no surrounding facilities.