Geungnakjeon Hall of Bongjeongsa Temple, Andong

During repairs in 1972 a ridge-beam inscription came to light recording a major re-roofing in 1363. Korean timber halls typically go a century or more between such overhauls, which puts the building itself in the early 1200s and makes it the oldest wooden structure standing in Korea. The temple around it is said to have been founded in 672 by the monk Neungin, and the evidence found in this hall supports a late seventh-century date. It was called the Hall of the Great Canon before it was renamed. It is three bays by four under a plain gabled roof, with swelling columns and brackets only above them. Inside, a canopy of carved timber hangs over the Buddha, and the side of the altar carries a vine pattern of the kind found on Goryeo ceramics — a rare piece of dateable ornament on a building this old. The whole thing follows Unified Silla practice, several centuries after Unified Silla ended.

Original Text

Visiting

Parking

Available

Information

• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330<br>(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)<br> • For more info: +82-54-853-4181

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Andong, Gyeongbuk

Designation

National Treasure · 국보