Daeungjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple, Gurye

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.299

Category

Architecture

Era

조선시대

Designated year

1963

Location

구례군, 전라남도— 전남 구례군 마산면 화엄사로 539, 화엄사 (황전리) / (지번)전남 구례군 마산면 황전리 12 화엄사

Coordinates

35.257266, 127.497923

Established during the Unified Silla Period, the Hwaeomsa Temple has long since been the center of the Hwaeom Order of Korean Buddhism. The Daeungjeon Hall, or the main hall of any Buddhist temple, is usually the oldest building in the temple grounds that houses the Buddha Triad. This temple is believed to be built by a great Buddhist monk named Byeogam in 1630 (the 8th year of King Injo’s reign). The Daeungjeon Hall is the second biggest building in the Hwaeomsa Temple following the Gakhwangjeon Hall. The hall measures 5 kan (a unit of measurement referring to the distance between two columns) by 3 kan under a hip and gable roof. The column-heads adorning the top of each column are designed to support the weight of roof. This dapo (multiple column-heads) style clearly shows the architectural style of the time. The ceiling beams are criss-crossed, and a canopy is placed on top of the Buddha Triad to add to the solemnity of the place. The size, beauty, balance and the architectural features make this building an important material for studying the architectural history of the mid Joseon Dynasty.

Location