18/07/2026
Unjusa Temple (화순 운주사지)
While the original construction time is unknown, Unjusa Temple prospered in the mid to late Goryeo period. It was rebuilt even larger at the end of the 15th century only to be closed 100 years later during the Imjin War. It was partially restored by Monk Seoldamjau in the 19th century. The temple is known in historical records as the only temple in Korea with over 1,000 stone statues of Buddha. The number of different styles of statues and pagodas is found nowhere else in Korea and makes Unjusa an important temple for studying the history Buddhist art history. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2017.
The temple is famous for Buddha statues and pagodas that once numbered around 1000. It is theorized that the temple may have been built as a school for stonemasons. However, today, only 62 (intact) to 101 Stone statues of Buddha and 12 to 22 stone pagodas remain (Numbers vary by source, but it seems like 70 statues and 18 pagodas is commonly accepted). The stratified rocky valley was perfect for making the flat-style Buddha statues. In fact, if you climb up a stair case, you can see two large Buddha statues carved flat into the ground waiting to be erected. There is a legend that Monk Doseon called on a team of stone masons from heaven to build 1,000 statues overnight to restore balance to the peninsula. However, before the last statue was completed, dawn came and a rooster recalled the masons back to heaven. As a result, the two final statues never stood up. Another legend says that when these sleeping Buddhas wake up, a new era will begin.
San 3, Yonggang-ri, Doam-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City
전남광주통합특별시 화순군 도암면 용강리 산3번지
