Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond () are a Silla-era former palace and artificial pond in Gyeongju, South Korea. They were part of the palace complex of ancient Silla (57 BCE – 935 CE). It was constructed by order of King Munmu in 674 CE. The pond was formerly known as Anapji () and is situated at the northeast edge of the Wolseong Palace, in central Gyeongju. The pond is an oval shape; 200m from east to west and 180m from north to south. It contains three small islands.
History
Anapji was originally located near the palace of Silla called Banwolseong. It is written in Samguk Sagi: "During the era of King Munmu, a new pond was made in the palace and flowers and birds flourished in this pond". There is also mention of a royal reception held by King Gyeongsun in 931, when Silla was already crumbling. After the fall of Silla, the pond fell into disrepair for many centuries. The name Anapji appears in the 16th century Joseon era document Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea ()
Tourist destination
Anapji is currently allotted in Inwang-dong, Gyeongju and is part of Gyeongju National Park. Approximately 730 relics are on display at the Anapji Exhibition Hall, the special gallery of the Gyeongju National Museum. The site of Imhaejeon is also a part of the grounds, the most important building on the property and the structure used as the crown prince's palace. While some sites have been restored others have been left in the natural form.
Gallery
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File:Anapji Pond-Gyeongju-Korea-2006-02.jpg
File:Anapji Pond.jpg
File:Anapji, S Korea.jpg
File:Anapji wall.jpg|Anap Pond facing the Banwolseong palace site
File:Anapji Pond-Gyeongju-Korea-2006-07.jpg|A reconstructed pavilion at Anapji lake.
File:Korea-Gyeongju-Anapji Pond-04.jpg
File:Donggung Palace 01.jpg|Anapji at night
File:Donggung Palace 04.jpg|Anapji at night
File:Nyelloaa.jpg|Model reconstruction of the Anapji Pond royal complex.
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See also
- Silla
- List of South Korean tourist attractions
- History of Korea
- Banwolseong