A special foundation structure for King Munmu

The site in front of you was where the main building housing a Buddha statue stood.

Let's climb up the stairs and look at the site. Do you see the square and rectangular stones cross-stacked with spaces in between? It is a very unique foundation structure rarely found in Korea.

This distinct structure is related to a legend about King Munmu, the father of King Sinmun who built this temple.
The legend says that the late king became a dragon and came to this temple through the space between the stones.

Because this temple is closely related to King Munmu, the mountain behind it is called "dragon mountain" and the village nearby is named "dragon village."

Even though it is only a legend that the king who became a dragon came to this temple, the patriotic spirit found in many corners of this temple will remain alive in the hearts of Koreans.