Historic 1,300-Year-Old Gounsa Temple Destroyed in Wildfire

The 1,300-year-old Gounsa Temple, a significant Buddhist landmark in Uiseong County, has been reduced to ashes as wildfires swept through the region, leaving behind only its ceremonial bell among the ruins.

According to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, which oversees the temple, dozens of structures on the site were completely destroyed by the flames. However, some priceless artifacts, including a seated stone Buddha designated as a national treasure, were spared as they had been relocated to other temples before the fire reached the site.

Gounsa Temple, originally built in 681 AD during the Silla Dynasty, was an important center of Korean Buddhism and a site of cultural and historical significance. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and authorities are investigating the cause of the fire while working to prevent further destruction.

Efforts are now focused on preserving what remains of the site and planning for possible restoration of this irreplaceable cultural treasure.