Gwaneumsa Temple

Gwaneumsa Temple, on Seongdeoksan Mountain in Jeollanam-do, was founded in 300, the third year of King Bunseo of Baekje, by the Bodhisattva Seongdeok. The temple's name is said to come from the fact that Seongdeok brought a gilt-bronze statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara from Nagan Harbour, built a temple to house it, and named it Gwaneumsa. It was enlarged for the fifth time in 1374, the 23rd year of King Gongmin of Goryeo, and after being damaged in the Imjin War during the Joseon period, all its buildings were restored over five years from 1604, the 37th year of King Seonjo. In modern times the monk Yeongdam rebuilt the entire temple complex in 1912, but it was all burned down during the Korean War; at that time Wontongjeon Hall and the gilt-bronze Avalokiteshvara statue, both of which had been designated National Treasures, were destroyed. The buildings standing today have all been newly built in recent times: passing through Geumnang-gak Gate, Wontongjeon Hall, the main worship hall, stands at the centre, with Byeogandang Hall and monks' quarters to its left and right.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gokseong, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료