Ulgeumbawi Rock
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LocationByeongmokgol-gil Sangseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryTour/ Natural Environment
- Korean울금 바위
- Nickname우금암|개암
- FieldGeography / Natural Geography
- Contents TypePlace Name / Name of Natural Place
- AreaByeongmokgol-gil Sangseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Definition
- A rock found in Gamgyo-ri, Seongseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Origin of the Name
- During the Three Kingdoms period, King Mun of the Byeonhan confederacy escaped war and came to this area. The king gave an order to construct a royal building to his two generals named “Wu” (禹) and “Jin” (陳). The king also called the east “Myoam” (妙巖) and the west “Gaeam” (開巖). From this legend, the name “Ugeum” is known to have originated. The shape of the rock appears to be opening up, hence the term “Gaeam.” The temple below this mountain known as “Gaeamsa” (開巖寺) Temple has inherited the other name of “Ulgeum” the rock.
- Natural Environment
- Ulgeumbawi Rock is a large rock, located at the top of Ugeumsan Mountain (329 meters) east of Byeonsan-bando. It is also called Ugeumam Rock. The rock on the right measures 40 meters in height, the rock on the left is 30 meters in height. Ugeumsan Mountain sits behind Gaeamsa Temple. From the ridge of the mountain, the south side faces toward Gamgyo-ri, Sangseo-meyon and the north side toward Cheongrim-ri, Sangseo-myeon. The natural composition of Ulgeumbawi is rhyolite, a type of volcanic rock. Geological studies revealed that a volcanic rock formed during the late Mesozoic era had surfaced above ground. That Rhyolite widely dispersed around Ulgeumbawi Rock made geologists believe that Buan might have been the center of the last volcanic activity in the area. In the lower part of Ulgeumbawi Rock are three caves, which were believed to have been formed by wind erosion along the rocky cliff.
- Current Status
- Ulgeumbawi Rock found at the top of Ugeumsan Mountain can be reached from Gaeamsa Temple below, as it appears to be erected to protect the Buddhist temple. The large rock, easily visible from afar, has long functioned as a landmark for local residents. Of the three caves below Ulgeumbawi Rock, the smallest cave in the north is called “Betteulgul (Weaving Hemp Cloth Cave)” since villagers weaved hemp cloth for soldiers who fought to reclaim their country during the Baekje dynasty. The largest cave in the southwest is called “Boksingul,” since it was known to have been used by the warrior Bok Sin (?~663) during the civil movement to restore the Baekje Kingdom. Historians believed the cave had been used as the headquarters of the resistance force when soldiers fought at Ugeumsanseong Fortress at the time. The cave in the south is called “Wonhyobang” atop a rocky wall, about 20 meters high from the surface. It cannot be reached without the help of a ladder or a rope. Measuring 5 meters in height, 5 meters in width and about 10 meters in length, Wonhyobang Cave was estimated to be the place where Great Master Wonhyo during the United Silla dynasty practiced asceticism. The stone fortress, measuring about 4 km in length, connecting Ulgeumbawi Rock and the ridge of the mountain is called Ugeumsanseong Fortress, which is designated as Jeollabukdo Monument No. 20. Located on the east of Ugeumsan Mountain, the fortress forms a barrier with the mountain. The legend has it that King Mun of the Byeonhan confederacy during the Proto-Three Kingdoms period escaped war and came here to build the fortress. It is estimated that immediately after the fall of the Baekje dynasty in 660, this was the site where Juryuseong Fortress, the center of the Baekje Restoration Movement, has stood for three years.