Silleuksa Temple (Yeoju)

Silleuksa Temple is a representative temple in Yeoju, located at the foot of Bongmi Mountain. It boasts a long history, grand scale, and outstanding scenery. It is a branch temple of Yongjusa Temple, the head temple of the second diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and has been designated as a traditional temple of Gyeonggi Province. While temples are usually built in the mountains, this one is unusually built on a riverside overlooking the Namhan River. It is said to have been founded by Great Master Wonhyo during the reign of King Jinpyeong of Silla, but there is no clear evidence. It is famous as a place where the monk Naong stayed during the late Goryeo period, and it is said to have been a large temple with about 200 rooms. In the 3rd year of King Seongjong of Joseon (1472), it served as the wonchal (guardian temple) of King Sejong's royal tomb, Yeongneung, and was called Boeunsa Temple, but after its significance as a wonchal diminished, it returned to the name Silleuksa Temple. It was also called Byeokjeol (Brick Temple) due to its multi-story brick pagoda.