By Chunho Lee

The City of Daegu takes much pride in its numerous attractions, from places of scenic beauty to historic and cultural heritage sites. Palgong Mountain, a symbol of Daegu, was selected as top ten most famous Asian tourist attractions. The Daegu Modern History Museum is an ideal place for visitors who want to have a brief overview of the regional culture, traditions, and history just as the Yashi Alley (golmok) offers one the experience of today’s fashion trend. For those who want to experience some of the region’s living history and culture, the following places are recommended.

◆ Donghwa-sa, a Buddhist Temple on Palgong Mountain

Donghwa-sa Temple is the head temple of the 9th District of the Korean Jogye Buddhist Order. Located on the southern slope of Palgong Mountain, 22km northeast of Daegu, the temple was first founded by Monk Geukdal in the 15th year of Shilla King Soji (493 AD). Back then, it was called, “Yugasa." It is said that during its renovation by the royal monk Shim-ji in the 7th year of Shilla King Heung Duk (832 AD), Paulownia flowers in the yard were in full bloom even in the harsh winter. This led the monk and the King to decide to call the temple “Donghwa-sa," or the “winter flower temple." The present day main temple was rebuilt in 1727, and it has six branch temples(Biroam, Budoam, Newonam, Yangjinam, Yumbulam, Yaksuam) and a Buddha statue.

The old tablet hanging on the pavilion in the court of the temple titled, “the Command of Monk Army in Youngnam," denotes that the temple was the headquarter of the Buddhist monk army led by Monk Samyoung against the Japanese force during the Toyotomi Invasion (1592∼1598).

Address: 35 Palgongsan Donghwa-sa, Dohakdong, Dong-gu, Daegu. Tel: (053)982-0101~2

◆Booin-sa Temple on Palgong Mountain

A branch temple of Donghwa-sa, Booin-sa Temple is said to have been built during the reign of Queen Sunduk. Despite its small size, the temple was esteemed as a guardian temple of the Goryeo Kingdom, because the first edition of the Tripitaka Koreana (the collection of the sacred teachings and writings of Buddha) was made here. The temple‘s buildings were reconstructed after the Mongolian Invasion, but the new temple was destroyed again during the Japanese Invasion in the 16th century.

Address: 356 Shinmu-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu. Tel: (053)982-5006

◆Got-Ba-Wi: The Stone Image of Buddha with a Flat Stone Hat

The gigantic stone image of Buddha sits upright on top of the Gwan peak of Palgong Mountain. Four meters in sitting height, the image balances a 15cm-thick stone plate on its head like a hat, and hence the name Got-ba-wi (the hat rock, Treasure No. 431). The image gives the impression of a person with a round face, a firm mouth, round shoulders, and a strong torso. Numerous worshippers climb the peak to pray for their wishes, as a folktale tells of the miraculous Buddha listening to the prayers of pious believers. Parents and well-wishers come to the Buddha to pray for blessings, especially on the first day of every month and at the time of college entrance examinations.

Address: 615-54 Neungsung-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu. Tel: (053)982-0505

◆Daegu Hyanggyo (School annexed to a Confucian shrine)

During Joseon Dynasty, the kings ordered Confucian schools to be built throughout the country to spread Confucian teachings and perform seasonal rituals to Confucius and other sages. One of the schools built was Daegu Hyanggyo. Originally built in Gyo-dong in 1398, the building was destroyed during the Japanese Invasion in 1592 and was moved to its current site in 1932 to prevent anti-Japan sentiments during the Japanese occupation. Every spring and fall, Confucian scholars gather at Daesung Shrine to attend the solemn ritual held at the site.

Address: 735-4 Namsan-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu. Tel:(053)422-8700

◆Daegu Modern History Museum

Originally built in 1932 by the Japanese as the Daegu branch of the Korea Development Bank, Daegu Modern History Museum building is now designated as the tangible cultural property no. 49. The bank took the lead in plundering the Korean economy and was Japan‘s means of colonial exploitation. The Daegu Urban Development Corporation donated the building to the city and the Municipal Government and Assembly began renovating the building to use it as an educational arena.

Address: 33 Pojung-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu. Tel: (053)606-6431



◆Medical Missionary Museum of Dongsan Medical Center

For its 100th anniversary in 1999, Dongsan Medical Center of Keimyoung University established two museums, the Missionary Museum and the Medical Museum, using two old missionary ‘houses-Switzer’s and Chamness’-that were already designated as tangible cultural assets. In 2001, the medical center opened the Education and History Museum (The Blair House), where medical history artifacts of 100 years are exhibited. In particular, the Medical Museum showcases rare medical appliances used from the 1800s to 1900s.

Address: 194, Dongsandong, Jung-gu, Daegu. Tel: (053)250-7100, 7551
Daegu Hyanggyo
Daegu Modern History Museum
Medical Missionary Museum

English translated by Sooyeon Bae
Reviewed by Heedal Kim,
Carol Runge(LIKE)

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