[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] Gyeongju City in Gyeongbuk announced on the 11th that starting from the 12th, it will operate a program allowing citizens and tourists to directly ring the Silla Daejong, a reproduction of the Seongdeokdaewang Sinjong, also known as the Emille Bell.
Those interested can apply in advance on the Gyeongju City Hall website, and between 12 PM and 5 PM daily, at the top of every hour, each team can ring the bell up to three times.
The Silla Daejong is a bell faithfully reproduced over three years using modern technology, modeled after the Seongdeokdaewang Sinjong, National Treasure No. 29. Since its completion in 2016, it has been used for events such as the March 1st Movement anniversary and New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremonies.
The Silla Daejong was cast based on thorough historical verification to embody the spirit and value of the Seongdeokdaewang Sinjong, measuring 3.66 meters in height, with an average thickness of 20.3 cm, and weighing 20.17 tons. According to Gyeongju City, the bell's shape resembles a large mountain rising, and its sound is like a dragon's cry, matching the original bell's waveform and rhythm almost exactly.
The Seongdeokdaewang Sinjong was begun during King Gyeongdeok's reign to commemorate the achievements of King Seongdeok of Silla and was completed in the 7th year of King Hyegong's reign (771 AD). It resonated in Seorabeol for over 1,200 years but was last rung during the National Foundation Day event in 2003 and is currently housed at the National Gyeongju Museum.
Mayor Joo Nak-young of Gyeongju said, "We hope that tourists visiting Gyeongju will have the experience of feeling the breath of the Seongdeokdaewang Sinjong, the greatest masterpiece embodying Silla culture, through the Silla Daejong bell-ringing experience."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
