Chilgok Songnimsa Daeungjeon (Main Hall of Songnimsa Temple)

The Daeungjeon Hall of Songnimsa Temple is characterized by its Dapo-style structure with a gabled roof (matbae-jibung), featuring five bays across the front and three bays on the sides. It is the largest Dapo-style gabled building in Gyeongsang Province. Considering that most temple buildings constructed after the Japanese invasions (1592–1598) and the Manchu invasion (1636) were three bays by three bays, Songnimsa Temple is believed to have held a special status at that time.

According to the Record of the Reconstruction of Daeungjeon and the Ridge Beam Inscription of Songnimsa Daeungjeon, the hall was destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion of 1597 (the 30th year of King Seonjo’s reign) and was rebuilt in 1649 (the 27th year of King Injo) by the monk Jang Gakwon. It was later repaired again in 1755 (the 31st year of King Yeongjo) and in 1850 (the 1st year of King Cheoljong). The plaque hanging on the hall is said to have been written by King Sukjong (r. 1674–1720).

The style of the bracket system (gongpo), the window design, the sinbangmok (horizontal beams), and the carving techniques of the altar all vividly represent the architectural and decorative characteristics of the period.

Dapo (multi-bracket system): A structural style in which wooden brackets are placed both on top of the columns and in the spaces between them. This complex and ornate design was mainly used in prestigious buildings such as palaces and temples during the Joseon Dynasty.

Source: Korea Heritage Service signboard ↗ · collected 2026-10-08