진천군청

Gilsangsa Shirne in Jincheon

1411-38, Munjin-ro, Jincheon-eup, Jincheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, 27829, Republic of Korea

+82-43-539-3935

• Designated : Local Monument No. 1 (February 21, 1975)
• Period : Was establishedduring the Shilla Dynasty. Was reconstructed in 1975
• Size : 6 buildings with Heungmujeon
• Material : Reinforced concrete and wooden roof tile

Gilsangsa Shrine in Jincheon has enshrined a portrait of Kim Yushin, King Heungmu the Great, who accomplished the unification of three nations in Dodangsan Mountain in Jincheon.
According to Sejongsilrokjiriji, the shrine was first built under the Taeryeong-san Mountain where General Kim Yushin’s taesil was buried and a national memorial service was held during the Shilla period. Later, in the 8th year of the reign of King Taejong of Joseon, a local service was held every year.

Later on, Gilsangsa was totally destroyed over two wars (Imjin – the Japanese invasion - and Byeongja during the Joseon Dynasty). Gyeyangmyo was established at the former site of Jukgyesa in Baekgok Gajuk-ri during the reign of King Choeljong. It was re-constructed at Dodangsan Mt in 1926, expanded in 1959 and fully rebuilt in 1975.

The main building is called ‘Heungmujeon’ and has five rooms in the front, two rooms on the flank and eight Jusimpo. A portrait of General Kim Yushin was enshrined inside the building. There are “Heungmudatwangsinseongbi” (engraved stone tablets created by artist Lee Seongun and written by Kim Manhee) erected in 1957 in the back yard, . “Kim Yushin General sajeokbi”(engraved stone tablets created by artist Lee Eunsang and written by Kim Chunghyeon) were erected in 1976 in the courtyard, and “Gilsangsajunggeonsajeokbi”(engraved stone tablets created by Jo Geonsang and written by Lee Sangbok) established later in the same year.

General Kim Yusin (595∼673) was the son of General Kim Seohyeon, a governor of Manno-gun, the former Jincheon-gun. He became a Hwarang in the 31st year during the reign of King Jinpyeong and took charge as a ruler of Apryang province after he made a significant contribution during the Battle of Nangbiseong.

He served as the General-in-Chief (sangjanggun) and Supreme Commander (Daechonggwan) during the reign of Queen Seondeok, conquering and taking possession of 12 castles belonging to the Baekje Kingdom, during the reign of Queen Jindeok. He also served as an Extraordinary Rank One (Sangdaedeung) in the 7th year of King Muyeol and formed an alliance with the Tang Dynasty in China to destroy the Baekje Kingdom. He attacked Goguryeo forces as the Supreme Commander (Daechonggwan) of the allied forces of the Shilla Dynasty and Tang Dynasty to take possession of the territory of the Goguryeo Kingdom, located around the northern part of Han River, and finally accomplished the unification of the Three Kingdoms. He was bestowed with the title Taedaegakgan and the honorary title of King Heungmu after his death.

• Location
  • 1 If you travel 2 minutes to Cheongju from Jincheon by bus, you will find it on the right side.
  • 2 If you drive 1km to Cheongju from Jincheon by your car, you will find a sign of Gilsangsa Shrine in Jincheon on the right side.