Admiral Yi Sun Shin Shrine in Namhea ( Chungnyeolsa)

   Chungnyeolsa or Yiraksa is located in Gwaneumpo Namhea Island part of Gyeongsangnam - do. This pavilion overlooks the sea where Admiral Yi Sun Shin was killed in a naval battle during the 1592-98 Japanese invasions. The shrine was built in memory of the admiral's outstanding Loyalty and patriotism.

                        

  

                                                                                                                                                                    Our day- 2 3rd destination in continuation of our 4 days exploration around Gyeongsangnam - do lead us to this very special and ancient shrine of the to these day well known Joseon dynasty hero of Korea Admiral Yi Sun Shin. The hero is well known for his last word before he died to remain it secret and to reveal his death to his soldier until the battle ends and they indeed defeated their enemy. 

           

  

   

We passed through the lower part and the main parking lot as well as the information area when we realized that the shrine has no entrance fee and head up to park somewhere as near as possible to avoid hiking up to the shrine on the hill.

   

We got lucky to be the only one around and are able to park anywhere we wanted. So the walk started from this beautiful isle. As I was walking as a wedding planner, I was imagining a nice scenery of a bride walking with her beautiful gown here. It would be an awesome site for pictorial.

   

   

                                                                                                                                                                        

But as soon we've reached the top, the reality sunk in. We were in a shrine dedicated to one of the greatest hero in Korean history. When I first moved in here in Korea, I started practicing my reading with the kids book and that's how I first heard about the Admiral Yi Sun Shin story. He's monument lies in Seoul along with the great King Seajong. His turtle ship invention models are scattered around Korea as well.  

       
      

                      

  

Feeling such an honor to be here. Also I have been to many places in Korea such as this, but this is somehow very different. It was so solemn and I got a chance to learn more about the difference between the shrines, temples and tombs which I always thought are the same. Those leaves must have been perfectly ripen by now. And I am suggesting a perfect time to visit this place would be on fall season around the early month of November.

     

   I was told that this serves as the great Admiral's tomb but his body was taken and currently lies somewhere else. I will surely get there someday. On my video there was a man whom I noticed testing fire safety and my beautiful models are my omoniem and Immo. 

     

This pavilion is stunningly ancient yet modern and it overlooks the sea where Admiral Yi was killed. The history book which I've read explained that he died in a naval battle during the  Japanese invasions in 1592-98. It was the last of the major battles on the sea during the war. After leading the Noryang Battle to a resounding victory, Admiral Yi was hit by a chance enemy shot while attacking the retreating Japanese forces. 

An annual of two days festival has traditionally been held in November 19 to 18 on the anniversary of the battle in which Admiral Yi died but, tourism wise, discussions are under way to move the festival on the Admiral Yi’s birthday in April where the season is most visited by tourist.  A further noticed will be updated but until then agreement hasn't been settled for any changes yet.

The very  clean and traditional theme built restroom and the modernized bus stop.

                 The very spacious street and parking lot.

To the turtle ship and Chungnyeolsa.

The admiral Yi Sun Shin Shrine adventure was very historic which we all fell in loved with. It has no admission and parking lot fee, and lies in a very peaceful coastal village with friendly environment. We haven't tried any of the restaurant around but, there were many around the area. The Yi Sun Shin Turtle ship is also part of the landscape but I separated them because I wanted to highlight the difference of each experiences. The Namhea bridge beauty was stunning and don't missed the  Scenic road of Korea stop over and the Yi Sun Shin park around the area if you happened to go there.