Changdeokam Hermitage (Namwon)

About this place

Changdeokam was founded in 1933 by Ms. Kim Bo-deok-hwa, and from its earliest days it was known among women as an efficacious place of prayer. However, according to temple tradition, a hermitage of some sort existed here even before 1933—suggesting that the 1933 construction might be considered a reconstruction rather than the original founding. This is because a three-story stone pagoda now at the temple was erected during the Joseon era, suggesting the site has had some form of continuous Buddhist presence since at least the Joseon period. In 1997, the main Daeungjeon hall was demolished with plans to rebuild it at the former Samseong-gak (Three Saints Hall) site, while the former Samseong-gak was demolished and rebuilt at the former Daeungjeon location—essentially swapping the positions of the two buildings. In recent years, a yosachae (living quarters) was also newly built.