Daeungjeon Hall of Mihwangsa Temple, Haenam

Mihwangsa Temple, located at the foot of Dalmasan Mountain, is the southernmost temple on Korea's mainland. According to the temple's stele record, it was first built in 749, the eighth year of King Gyeongdeok of Unified Silla. It was later burned down during the Imjin War and rebuilt in 1598, the 31st year of King Seonjo of Joseon, then repaired again in 1754, the 30th year of King Yeongjo. Daeungjeon Hall, which enshrines a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, is a building three bays wide and three bays deep, with a hip-and-gable roof that forms the shape of the character 八 ("eight") when seen from the side. Unusually, four of the foundation stones at the front and two at the sides are carved with lotus flowers, turtles, crabs and similar motifs, while the rest are plain natural stones. The bracket sets supporting the eaves are built in the dapo style, meaning clusters of brackets are placed not only above the columns but also between them. The ceiling is finished as a coffered, well-shaped (井) structure concealing the framework above, with the Buddhist character 梵 (beom) carved clearly at its centre. On the hill behind Mihwangsa Temple stands a stone marker inscribed "Tomal" (土末, "Land's End"), marking the southern tip of Korea's mainland.

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Where it is

Region

Haenam, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물