Seongryugul Cave
# Seongryugul Cave

Seongryugul Cave is a limestone cave in Uljin, South Korea, which was designated natural monument No 155 of South Korea on May 10, 1963.

It is also called Seonyugul (仙留窟) and Jangcheongul (掌天窟). The name, Seongryu, which means a place where sacred Buddhas stayed, and derives from the fact that Buddha statues were sheltered and protected in this cave during the Japanese invasion of Korea of 1592.

The length of the main cave is about 330m, and the length of the underground cave about 540m, giving a total length of approximately 870m, and has an area of $137,454m^2.$ A lake is developing in the cave due to the flows of the Wangpicheon, a river next to the cave. Within the cave there are many stalactites, stalagmites, and stone pillars formed from their joins.

During the 1592 Japanese invasion, about 500 people took refuge in this cave, and it is said that the Japanese troops blocked the entrance, resulting in the deaths of all inside.

## Significance

The entrance of the cave has a stone engraved with a travelogue from the Silla Dynasty confirming that the cave has been a sacred place of scenic beauty since ancient times. As do other historical materials about Seongnyugul Cave from various eras: such as the story of Prince Bojildo (the Unified Silla period), a book (late Goryeo dynasty) a poem (earlynJoseon dynasty), and a painting (late Joseon).

