Museum to Commemorate Ureuk

Gaya existed in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula before the Middle Ages in Europe. Unlike the other Korean ancient kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, Gaya was a confederacy of small territorial polities. This museum was established to commemorate Ureuk who was a renowned musician of Dae Gaya, which led the latter Gaya confederacy.

He became a palace musician at the order of the royal family, and he attempted to unify the chaotic politics of the Gaya confederacy through music. In particular, along with the king he invented a stringed instrument called gayageum, and he composed 12 songs. Here, where the museum is located, Ureuk used to play the gayageum with his students.

The statue of Ureuk is standing to the left of the museum’s entrance. Please take a look at the roof. This roof was designed after the shape of the gayageum. We will learn more about this instrument inside the museum.

Before you go into the museum, turn around and take a look at the village and the mountain.

Do you see the tower on top of the mountain? That’s the Ureuk Monument. This gayageum-shaped monument was constructed to commemorate the achievements of Ureuk. It takes about 15 minutes to get to on foot, so how about going for a walk after you’re done at the museum?

Now let’s go inside the museum and learn about Ureuk and his gayageum.