A Comma in Daily Life: Breathing at Chungju World Martial Arts Museum | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

충주세계무술공원 내에 있는 박물관이다. 충주세계무술공원은 1998년부터 충주시에서 가을마다 열리는 충주세계무술축제의 행사장이다. 충주세계무술축제는 택견을 비롯한 한국과 세계 각국의 무술관계자들이 모여서 ‘세계무술과 문화의 만남’이라는 주제로 다양한 행사를 열고 있다. 충주세계무술박물관은 그동안 열렸던 충주세계무술축제의 성과를 만나고 세계무술의 다양한 모습과 가치를 만나는 곳이다. 우리 고유의 무술인 택견을 비롯해서 다른 나라의 전통무술을 이해하고 이에 관한 다양한 정보를 얻을 수 있다.

Chungju Tangeumdae is named after the site where Ureuk, one of Korea's three great musical saints, played the gayageum. It is historically significant as the place where General Shin Rip, following defeat by So Seo-haeng during the Imjin War, committed suicide. Originally called Daemunsan, this hill features scenic cliffs winding along the Namhan River and dense pine forests. The name Tangeumdae comes from Ureuk, a musician of the Gaya kingdom forcibly relocated here 1,400 years ago during the reign of Silla’s King Jinheung. Ureuk made his home in the cliffs of Tangeumdae, playing the gayageum while enjoying the scenery. Enchanted by his melodies, people gathered, forming a village named Tangeumdae. The beautiful landscape includes the Namhan River curving around cliffs, thick pine groves, and views from the terrace of the Namhan River, Gye-myeong Mountain, Namsan, Chungju city, and broad plains creating a picturesque panorama.

This is a shallow line-engraved rock-carved Buddha on a natural cliff in Jungangtap-myeon, Chungju-si. It is 4m high, with the central part of the statue showing a reddish tint due to iron content. The entire statue is carved in low relief, without depiction of hands, reflecting regional styles of the Goryeo period. Positioned uniquely to be viewed from boats floating on the river, it is believed to have been created to pray for the safety of water transport. The head and face are low-relief in high relief, while below the shoulders it is mostly incised lines. The head has short hair, the face is plump and full, with a prominently large nose. The ears are long, reaching the shoulders. Compared to the head, the shoulders are narrow, with a clearly defined triple-fold neck. Eyebrows are rounded with curved lines, and eyes are drawn as straight lines. The eyes’ corners appear torn, and there is no smile at the mouth, giving a solemn impression. The Buddha wears a one-piece robe spreading over both arms and covering both knees, with a round chest pendant that flows leaving only the center slightly defined. The whole body is depicted as if wrapped in clouds.

The National Treasure, the 7-story stone pagoda of Chungju Tappyeong-ri, is a stone pagoda from the Unified Silla period that harmonizes well with the beautiful scenery of the Namhan River. It is the largest among stone pagodas built at that time, and is also called Jungangtap because it is located in the central part of Korea. Around Jungangtap, there is a sculpture park on a wide lawn, and the Chungju Museum and Liquor Museum are located nearby. Additionally, Tanggeum Lake, formed by the Namhan River and the adjacent Jojeongji Dam, offers water leisure activities in summer, presenting Chungju as a resort and leisure sports destination. (Source: Chungju Culture and Tourism Homepage)

충주고구려비전시관에 가면 국내 유일의 고구려 석비인 충주 고구려비(국보 제205호)를 만나볼 수 있다. 오래전부터 가금면 용전리 입석마을 앞에 서 있었던 이 비석은 1979년에 이르러서야 그 가치가 세상에 알려졌다. 장수왕이 남한강 유역을 공략한 후 세운 기념비로 추정, 고구려비로 명명됐다. 이후 보호각이 건립됐고 2012년에 드디어 충주고구려비전시관이 문을 열었다. 전시관은 고구려의 유산, 설화, 생활상, 역사와 함께 안악 3호분, 광개토대왕비, 충주 고구려비 발견 과정 등을 소개하고 있다. 충주 고구려비의 위대한 역사적 가치를 느낄 수 있다.