Yeonhwasa Temple

Yeonhwasa Temple is said to have been built by Hong Mun-seop. After having a dream, Hong dug the current site of Yeonhwasa to find two stone Buddha statues, and built a temple there. Yeonhwasa was designated a traditional temple in 1988. The temple features Muryangsujeon Hall, Samseonggak Hall, and Yosachae (monks’ residence). There used to be a building with a tile roof, but following the discovery of Muinmyeongseokbulsangbudaejwa (Buddhist stele and pedestal with a 'Muin' inscription; National Treasure No. 649), the roof was improved. The side of Muinmyeongseokbulsangbudaejwa is in a trapezoid shape with a wider bottom. It is thought to date back to the Unified Silla era. The temple is also home to Chiljonseokbulsang (Stele with seven relief Buddhist images; National Treasure No. 650). Together with the stone images of Biamsa and Jeonganmyeon, this stele is considered to have cast a new light on the Ancient Art.