Near the Capital Seoul in 19th century, a special architectural form was created by the Buddhist monks who were related with Royal families. Their temples, so called 'won-dang', were constructed as supplicating places for their patrons' happiness and heavenly bliss. Among buildings of a Won-dang temple, 'Great Hall', which was accepted as a new building type, was the most important, the earliest constructed, and the biggest one. This boiling type contained the complex functions of small chaples, living rooms of monks, kitchen and dining, and pilotied pavillions. This Great Hall was located at the front of Won-dang temples, the main worship halls were at the behind. The type of Won-dang was needed for the high female who were its powerful patrons, and was oliginated from the small Buddhist temples in rural areas. And the type was able to be domiciled itself at the Capital areas because of the existing architectural fondness of the regional architects and the patrons in high class.

• 김봉열(울산대학교) | Kim Bong-ryol