The Gyeongju National Museum has launched the highly anticipated exhibition, “Silla Gold Crowns: Power and Prestige,” an unprecedented showcase of six gold crowns discovered in the royal tombs of the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935) in North Gyeongsang Province. Organized to coincide with the APEC 2025 gathering, the exhibition opened to immediate public enthusiasm, prompting the state museum to limit daily access. The museum announced that visitor entry will be restricted to 2,550 people per day, with only 150 admitted during each 30-minute viewing session. Tickets are being distributed starting at 9:20 a.m. at the museum for the exhibition, which runs through December 15.
This exhibition marks the first time that these six magnificent gold crowns—usually held in separate museums across Korea—have been brought together in one location. The Silla Kingdom is historically renowned as the “Golden Kingdom” for its superior gold artifacts compared to the other two kingdoms of the Three Kingdoms period (Goguryeo and Baekje). Among the twenty gold artifacts on display are six gold belts. One highlight of the collection is the National Treasure crown excavated from Cheonmachong (“tomb of heavenly horse”) in 1973. This specific artifact recently drew international attention after a gold replica was presented to US President Donald Trump by South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung.
Another key piece in the display is the gold crown from Geumgwanchong in Noseo-dong, discovered during a 1921 construction project. This fifth-century creation is also a designated National Treasure and is considered the premier example of Silla’s royal gold work. By uniting these rare, fragile symbols of royal power and prestige, the Gyeongju exhibition offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the wealth and artistry of the ancient Korean kingdom.
Six Silla Gold Crowns United: Gyeongju Museum Limits Access to Rare Exhibition
