Goguryeobi Monument, Chungju

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.205

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

고구려시대

Designated year

1981

Location

충주시, 충청북도— 충청북도 충주시 감노로 2319 (중앙탑면, 충주고구려비전시관)

Coordinates

37.028087, 127.848500

This is the only existing Commemorative Stone from Goguryeo in the Korean Peninsula. The monument was set up to commemorate the occupation of a number of fortresses along the Namhangang River by Goguryeo troops. It was discovered in 1979 in a village named Ipseok. The monument had already been severely eroded by time and local residents' negligence when discovered. It is in the form of a natural stone pillar, a smaller version of the monument to King Gwanggaeto of Goguryeo located in Manchuria, China. The inscription is engraved on four sides, but only the letters on the front and one side are legible for now. Based on the mention of King of Goryeo in the preface of the inscription, Goryeo here means Goguryeo, the inclusion of the names of official posts unique to Goguryeo, and the terms referring to Silla used by Goguryeo, this is undoubtedly a Goguryeo monument. Judging from what is legible, the monument is believed to date to around the late fifth century when King Jangsu of Goguryeo moved the capital to Pyeongyang and extended the Dynasty's territory southward to the basin of the Hangang River. With its rarity and valuable content illustrating the relations between Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje, this monument is of great importance for the study of Korean history.

Location