Hermitage History Geumjeongam Hermitage, which means “Golden Well Hermitage” in English, is located to the east of Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye, Jeollanam-do. Geumjeongam Hermitage is one of eight hermitages located on the Hwaeomsa Temple grounds. Geumjeongam Hermitage was first founded by the monk Seol-eung in 1562. Later, the Chilseong-gak Hall and the Yosachae (monks’ dorms) were built during the reign of King Gojong of Korea (1863-1907). During the Korean War (1950-1953), most of the hermitages that surrounded Hwaeomsa Temple were destroyed. Of the numerous hermitages that once stood, Geumjeongam Hermitage is one of the few that still remains at Hwaeomsa Temple. Then in 1991, a fire broke out at the…