Yongdam Temple

Located approximately 3km east of Namwon. It is said to have been built during the reign of King Seong, the 26th monarch of Baekje. According to legend, before the temple was established, an Imugi (a serpent that failed to become a dragon) lived in the deep waters nearby, causing severe havoc by destroying crops and devouring people. However, after the temple was built and named Yongdamsa, the Imugi disappeared. The Standing Stone Buddha at the Yongdamsa Temple site is regarded as one of the finest works following the style of colossal Buddha statues from the early Goryeo Dynasty. The slender and tall seven-story stone pagoda of Yongdamsa, reaching a height of 10m, is believed to be a relic from the time Yongdamsa was founded. It was reconstructed on its old site in 1914, with further reconstruction projects carried out in 1930 and 1989.