Sogwang Temple Site

 temple, ruins, buddhist temple, historic landmark

(석왕사/釋王寺)
North Korean National Treasure #94.
Founded at the end of the Koryo dynasty, Sogwang Temple (Sŏgwangsa) was once one of Korea's largest Buddhist monasteries, and consisted of over fifty buildings arranged on a two-level layout; each level having living quarters and other minor buildings set around a larger prayer hall. Work continued on the temple into the Joseon period. Unfortunately, almost all of the historic buildings in the temple compound have been destroyed; most were incinerated by a 1951 US bombing raid during the Korean War, and the remaining buildings, including a few reconstructions, were later destroyed by heavy flooding in the region. Today, only the Jogye Gate remains of the original buildings.
Pictures can be seen here: www.flickr.com/photos/kernbeisser/sets/7215761688057500...
Location:
Sŏlbong-ri, Kosan-gun
Kangwon Province, North Korea.