Nangosa Temple (Jeonju)

About this place

Nangosa is a temple on Godeoksan Mountain and a branch temple of Geumsansa, the head temple of the 17th district of the Jogye Order. Situated along Namgosanseong Fortress on the southern edge of Jeonju, the temple offers a panoramic view of the Jeonju city center from its elevated position. Surviving structures include the Daeungjeon main hall, Gwaneum Hall, Samseonggak, and the Four Heavenly Kings Gate. Inside the temple complex is the Samseonggak — a building that combines native Korean shamanic beliefs with Buddhism, housing the Mountain Spirit (Sansin), Seven Stars (Chilseong), and Alone Saint (Dokseong). The Daeungjeon is a three-bay by three-bay hip-and-gable roof building enshrining the Shakyamuni Buddha as the principal deity in a triad of three Buddhas. The former temple site in front of the Daeungjeon — the original Nangosa temple grounds — was designated as a Jeonbuk Provincial Monument in August 1985. The temple is especially beautiful in autumn, when colorful foliage draws many visitors.