Year of UNESCO Registration : 1995

Location : Hapcheon County, South Gyeongsangdo Province

In the 13th century, the people of Goryeo created the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks with Buddhist scriptures carved on them in the hopes of fending off Mongol invaders through Buddha’s spiritual help. It is the world’s oldest Tripitaka in existence, representing the pinnacle of woodblock printing technology. The buildings of Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon were built as depositories in the 15th century with the purpose of storing the Tripitaka Koreana. These depositories are the world’s only archives for Tripitaka woodblocks. Scientifically designed through meticulous calculations, its buildings and windows were arranged in an effective way to allow natural ventilation and to adjust temperature and humidity, making it possible for the Tripitaka Koreana to be preserved undamaged for over 600 years. The excellence of the repository is widely recognized.