Yongmun Temple (Namhae)龍門寺

Yongmunsa Temple, an ancient temple situated at the foot of Hogusan Mountain in Idong-myeon, Namhae-eup, is the oldest temple in Namhae. Founded during the reign of King Aejang of Silla, it is a Namhae temple that produced twelve eminent monks. It is said that after Master Wonhyo visited Geumsan, built Bogwangsa Temple, and named the mountain Bogwangsan, he then built Cheomseonggak on Hogusan Mountain and moved Bogwangsa Temple from Geumsan to this location. Thus, Yongmunsa Temple effectively emerged as the successor to Bogwangsa Temple. According to another legend, during the reign of King Hyeonjong of the Joseon Dynasty, there was a demand to move the temple elsewhere because its entrance was adjacent to Namhae Hyanggyo (Confucian school) in Namhae-hyeon. Thereupon, it is said that Master Baegwoldang established the site above Yongso Village in the south and named it Yongmun. Yongmunsa is also a Hoguksa Temple (temple protecting the nation) where monks bravely fought during the Imjin War, upholding the spirit of Samyeongdang. The evidence for this includes a cannon called Samhyeolpyo preserved at Yongmunsa, and a gold plaque from Suguksa Temple bestowed by King Sukjong to signify its status as a Hoguksa Temple. King Sukjong of Joseon designated Yongmunsa as Suguksa, had a chugwondang (prayer hall) built within Yongmunsa's precincts for the royal family, and bestowed memorial tablets, jade lanterns, candle holders, and banners, among other items. However, the jade lanterns, candle holders, and similar items were lost during the Japanese colonial period, and only the banners and the Suguksa gold plaque are preserved today.