Mountain recognized as historic cultural landscape blending Buddhist heritage and mountain worship
The Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City announced Saturday that the Wolchulsan area, straddling Yeongam-gun and Gangjin-gun, has been designated a national scenic site — a category of state-designated natural heritage.
The designation recognizes the mountain's outstanding natural scenery alongside its value as a cultural landscape shaped by mountain worship traditions, Buddhist culture and historical records.
Wolchulsan rises abruptly from the surrounding plains as an isolated massif, its ridgelines defined by dramatic rock faces and granite formations centered on Cheonhwangbong and Gujeongbong peaks. The mountain has been particularly praised for its geological and ecological significance, including diverse granite weathering formations and distinct vegetation zones at varying elevations.
Historically, the mountain appears in the "Samguk Sagi" — the chronicle of the Three Kingdoms — under the name "Wolnaeak," recorded as a site of state ritual. State ceremonies continued there from the Unified Silla period, and the mountain served as a major center of Buddhist culture in the southwestern region through the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties.
The Wolchulsan area is home to several historic temples, including Muwisa, Dogapsa and Cheonhwangsa. Muwisa houses a national treasure — the Geungnakjeon hall and its murals. Dogapsa reflects the history of local Buddhist culture through its founding legend tied to the monk Doseon Guksa and a collection of cultural heritage assets. Cheonhwangsa likewise stands as a historic site where mountain worship and Buddhist traditions converge.
The integrated special city plans to work with the Cultural Heritage Administration and relevant local governments to systematically preserve and manage Wolchulsan following the designation. It also intends to develop strategies linking the mountain with surrounding historical and cultural resources to enhance the region's tourism value.
sij@heraldcorp.com
