A large number of relics were unearthed at this site due to a land development project in 1985. Work was halted and relics were excavated by the Cheongju University Museum. The time and size of Heungdeoksa Temple is unknown, but according to Jikji (Buljojikjisimcheyojeol, the world’s oldest existing book printed with movable metal type), the excavated books were printed using metal types at the temple in the third year of King Uwang’s reign (1377). The books were published 78 years earlier than Gutenberg’s invention. In 1972, the Jikji was officially recognized as the world’s oldest book printed with movable metal type during the International Book Year. The Buljojikjisimcheyojeol is currently kept at the National Library of France.
information
- Inquiry and guidance 1330 Travel Hotline 82-2-1330 Br Korean English Japanese Chinese For More Info 82-43-201-2022
location
713, Jikji-daero, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do