Yeongsanjeon Hall of Magoksa Temple, Gongju

Magoksa Temple is said to have been founded in 640, the ninth year of Queen Seondeok of Silla, by the monk Jajang Yulsa; an alternative account holds that it was founded by the Silla monk Museon after his return from Tang China. The temple fell into ruin from the end of Silla through the early Goryeo period, and was rebuilt in 1172, the second year of King Myeongjong of Goryeo, by the State Preceptor Bojo, but fell into ruin again for sixty years following the Japanese invasions of 1592. It is said that the monk Gaksun later rebuilt the Daeungjeon, Yeongsanjeon and Daejeokgwangjeon halls in 1651, the second year of King Hyojong of Joseon. A Yeongsanjeon is a hall enshrining the Buddha Sakyamuni together with the Palsangdo, paintings depicting the eight scenes of his life; because this particular hall enshrines a thousand Buddha images, it is also known as the Cheonbuljeon, or Hall of a Thousand Buddhas. It was rebuilt in 1651 when the monk Gaksun restored the temple, and is the oldest surviving building at Magoksa Temple, standing to the west of the Haetalmun Gate. The hall measures five bays across the front and three bays along the side, and its roof is a gable roof whose form, seen from the side, resembles the character 人. The bracket structure supporting the eaves is set only above the pillars, in the jusimpo style. The signboard hanging at the front of the building is said to be in King Sejo's own calligraphy, and the ceiling inside is finished in a coffered pattern, concealing the space above, that resembles the character 井. As a well-composed building of the Joseon period, it is also an important resource for the study of traditional architectural styles.

AI Translation

Visiting

Opening hours

Open 24 hr

Closed

N/A (Open all year round)

Parking

Available

Information

+82-041-841-6220

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Gongju, Chungnam

Designation

Treasure · 보물