Tomb of King Suro, Gimhae

Site details

The Royal Tomb of King Suro in Gimhae, also known as “Napneung,” is the burial site of King Suro (reigned 42-199 AD), the founder of the Garak Kingdom (Geumgwan Gaya) and the progenitor of the Gimhae Kim clan. King Suro ascended the throne in 42 AD and in 48 AD married Heo Hwang-ok, a princess from the Indian kingdom of Ayuta. The tomb is a circular earthen mound, initially devoid of additional structures. However, starting from the late Joseon Dynasty, several buildings were erected around it. In 1580, during the 13th year of King Seonjo's reign, Heo Yeop, the governor of Gyeongsang Province, renovated the tomb to its current form. Within the tomb's precincts, there are various structures, including Sungseonjeon, which enshrines the spirit tablets of King Suro and Queen Heo, as well as Anhyanggak, Jeonsacheong, Jegigo, and several stone monuments such as a shrine stele and a memorial stele.