Gyeongju Seokbinggo, Stone ice storage in Inwang-dong, Gyeongju, South Korea.
Gyeongju Seokbinggo is a stone ice storage building with a vaulted roof and three ventilation shafts designed for cold storage. The structure measures about 19 meters in length, about 6 meters in width, and about 5 meters in height and was built from over one thousand granite stones.
The building was originally built as a wooden structure at Wolseong Fortress in 1738 and later reconstructed in stone and moved to its present location in 1742. This change reflected technical advances that improved the durability and efficiency of ice storage.
The structure shows traditional Korean methods for food preservation through skillful design and natural materials that kept cold stored year-round. Visitors can still see how lime-reinforced walls and floors were engineered to improve efficiency.
Access is through an entrance on the southern side via stairs, and the location is easy to reach. The Department of Culture and Tourism of Gyeongju manages and maintains the site for visitors.
The building was constructed from an enormous quantity of hand-laid granite blocks fitted without mortar. This dry stone construction technique allowed natural ventilation and moisture control that enabled ice preservation for months.
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