Gaewonsa Temple (Gwangju)

This is the temple closest to Namyongseong (Southern Barbican) of Namhansanseong Fortress. It was the main headquarters temple that commanded the monk soldiers within the fortress, among the nine temples founded for fortress defense after the construction of Namhansanseong. This temple flourished as a patriotic temple that protected the capital Hanyang for 270 years until the Uiseungbangbeonje (Monk Soldier Defense System) was abolished during the Gabo Reform of 1894.

According to the *Jungjeong Namhanji*, Gaewonsa Temple housed many Buddhist scriptures and had four large brass bowls weighing over 200 geun (approximately 120 kg), indicating its very large scale. Additionally, the Tripitaka Koreana (Buddhist scriptures) had been stored here since the 15th year of King Injo (1637), but in 1907, when the Japanese imperialists destroyed the arsenal and gunpowder depot within the fortress, the temple's main hall, pavilions, and other附属 buildings were all burned down. Restoration work began in 1976, and the Daejeonjeon Hall, Seungjangjosajeon Hall, Beomjonggak Bell Pavilion, Iljumun Gate, Cheonwangmun Gate, and Yosachae (monks' quarters) have been restored.