16 September 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

South Korea, Mireuksa Temple ve The World Heritage Festival for “Baekje Historic Areas,”

Baekje (18 B.C. to A.D. 660) is one of Korea’s Three Kingdoms Period’s lesser-known eras (57 B.C. to A.D. 668).

The “Baekje Historic Areas” are made up of eight archaeological sites. These sites are distributed over three cities in South Chungcheong and North Jeolla: Gongju, Buyeo, and Iksan.

The eight sites include Gongsanseong and Songsan-ri King Tombs related to Baekje’s capital city of Ungjin (now Gongju); Guanbuk-ri Administrative Building, Fusu Mountain Fortress, Jeongrimsa Temple, and Neungsanri Kings related to the relocated capital of Saba (now Buyeo) The royal tombs, etc.; finally, the royal palace in the royal palace and Iksan Mireuksa Temple, which are related to the later period of Sabi.

The archaeological sites and buildings of the Baekje historical site show the exchanges between the development of architectural technology and the spread of Buddhism in the ancient East Asian kingdoms of North Korea, China, and Japan. The capitals, Buddhist temples, mausoleums, architectural features, stone towers, etc. of the Baekje historical area have all contributed to the unique testimony of the unique culture, religion, and art of the Baekje Kingdom.

Mireuksa Temple

The Mireuksa Temple is located in Giyang-ri, Iksan-gun. According to Samguk yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), King Mu of the Baekje Dynasty and his queen witnessed the Maitreya Buddha Triad emerge at the pond down Yonghwasan Mountain on their route to Sajasa Temple. Later, at the queen’s request, King Mu had the pond reclaimed and pagodas, halls for the image of Buddha, and an ambulatory built. Mireuksa Temple was established during the time of King Mu and closed during the Joseon Dynasty, according to the record.

Stone Pagoda at Mireuksa Temple Site, Iksan
Stone Pagoda at Mireuksa Temple Site, Iksan

The temple features two stone pagodas, Dongtap (east pagoda) and Seotop (west pagoda), as well as one wooden pagoda in the middle and many rooms for the Buddha image behind the pagodas. The layout of the buildings of the temple is very unique, with the ambulatory dividing the buildings.

There are 5 main rooms and 4 side chambers in each of the Buddha image halls. The space beneath the room appears to have been built to protect the hardwood floor from dampness. Some temple structures that were fitted with Ondol (floor heating system) are significant in understanding the evolution of Ondol throughout the Goryeo and Joseon periods.

Roof tiles, earthen containers, metals, and timber items were among the temple’s unearthed remnants, some of which had writings inscribed on them. As the oldest stone pagoda, Seotap (west pagoda) has been recognized as National Treasure No. 11.

Stone Pagoda at Mireuksa Temple Site, Iksan
Stone Pagoda at Mireuksa Temple Site, Iksan. Photo: Gaz. Wiki

A miniature of the restored  Mireuksa Temple may be seen in the pavilion. Mireuksa is a sort of guardian temple established with the purpose of preserving the state with the spirit of Buddha and was regarded highly significant until the end of the Baekje Dynasty, which has enormous historical significance.

The World Heritage Festival for “Baekje Historic Areas,”

If you want to see this wonderful temple and attend a special festival, August month is a great opportunity for that. Moreover, they also thought of those who could not attend due to covid 19.

Baekje Historic Areas in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province / Photo: Cultural Heritage Administration
Baekje Historic Areas in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province / Photo: Cultural Heritage Administration

The World Heritage Festival for “Baekje Historic Areas,” which began on August 13 and will end on August 31, will feature 22 online and offline activities. On Aug. 13, the three cities had their opening ceremonies, which were also aired live online.

During the event, there will also be a 40-minute night tour of Gongsanseong. During the festival, the program runs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily, stopping at several pavilions within the castle. Because the program can only accommodate 40 participants each day, reservations are required.

Mireu Island inside Geumgangsingwan Park, On Aug. 28, gugak (traditional Korean music) ensemble Yeonjeong will perform. The performance begins at 8 p.m. and will also be streamed live. 

Source: Cultural Heritage Administration

Related Articles

Historical Beauties of Turkmenistan

10 May 2021

10 May 2021

Turkmenistan is a nation with a big history and terrain in central Asia, surrounded by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran,...

Vampires Were Born Here: The Forgotten Serbian Village Behind the World’s Oldest Vampire Legend

18 July 2025

18 July 2025

Picture a quiet Balkan village at dusk: the sun dips behind dense forests, mist curls around forgotten gravestones, and the...

Ireland’s most beautiful round tower and Romanesque architecture

21 August 2021

21 August 2021

Romanesque means “from the Romans”, “descendant of the Romans”. This architectural style is called “Norman architectural style” in England and...

The best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy can be seen in Jerash the ancient city of Jordan’s

2 December 2021

2 December 2021

Jerash is a magnificent old Roman city located around 50 kilometers from Amman, Jordan. Jerash is considered the most well-preserved...

Britain’s Best Viking Museums

18 March 2021

18 March 2021

The Vikings were famous seafaring people from the late 8th to early 11th centuries who made a name for themselves...

“Land of the Thousand Temples” Kancheepuram in India

20 May 2021

20 May 2021

Kancheepuram, one of the most sacred and religious Hindu pilgrim centers in India is also called the ‘Land of the...

Tajik Buddha in Nirvana – the Largest in the World: 42 feet long and 9 feet high

31 December 2023

31 December 2023

In the past, while Taliban soldiers in Afghanistan destroyed two immense statues of Buddha, art historians in neighboring Tajikistan meticulously...

Life continues in Iran’s 12,000-year-old settlement “Meymand village”

8 February 2022

8 February 2022

At the south-eastern Iranian province of Kerman near Shahr-Babak city, there is a village dating back to the Stone Age....

The sunken city of God Krishna “Dwarka”

18 May 2022

18 May 2022

The legendary capital of Hindu god Lord Krishna, Dwarka is today one of the most famous submerged ancient cities underwater....

India’s Ancient ‘Dwarf Chambers’: Hire Benkal’s 2,500-Year-Old Mysterious Megalithic Legacy

26 July 2025

26 July 2025

Tucked away in the rugged granite hills of Karnataka lies Hire Benkal, a vast prehistoric necropolis that silently guards the...

Places to Visit in Oman

6 February 2021

6 February 2021

There are many places to visit in Oman. In this article, we wanted to talk about a wonderful country that...

Delikkemer Aqueduct: A Roman Engineering Wonder Along the Lycian Way

17 May 2025

17 May 2025

Hidden among the lush forests of southwestern Turkey, the Delikkemer Aqueduct stands as a testament to ancient Roman ingenuity. Located...

Falaj al Misfah: Working for a thousand years

26 September 2021

26 September 2021

The village of Al Misfah Abriyeen is known for its lush oasis, magnificent orchards, and year-round water source, the ‘aflaj.’...

Leshan Giant Buddha and its History

22 March 2022

22 March 2022

Leshan Giant Buddha or Chinese name:乐山大佛 (Leshan Dafo) is the best indication that there is no such thing as impossible...

Birkleyn Caves is “the Place Where The World Ends”

18 January 2025

18 January 2025

The Birkleyn Caves were known as “the place where the world ends” and as “the place where the water of...