 Sculpture at the students' memorial. The May 18 Memorial Park is dedicated to the memory of the Gwangju Massacre in May, 1980, where several hundred, or perhaps over 1,000, demonstrators were killed by police under the direction of President Chun Doo-hwan. Located in Seo-gu, the park is over 205,000 square meters in area and contains a number of monuments and a May 18 Memorial Cultural Center, as well as hiking trails, gardens, and Mugaksa temple.
[edit] Grounds
The park has 13 designated spots including two large monuments up the staircase from the main entrance. There are walking paths that circle the entire park and small trails that lead to shrines and to Muguksa temple.
[edit] May 18 Memorial Cultural Center
[edit] Student's Memorial
Mugaksa temple was built in 1971. The main hall is 110 pyeong in area [1], and is flanked by a two-story bell tower and a 13-story stupa.
The paths that run throughout the park lead to Mugaksa. The temple is roughly equidistant from the park's main entrance. Those walking to the park from Uncheon Station (Honam University) will pass the temple before the main entrance. Mugaksa is hidden from view and is situated behind a large church on the right-hand side of the street. To reach the temple, walk up the driveway that serves as the church's parking lot, and find the large temple gate at the end of the lot.
[edit] Owolru
Owolru (오월루) is a large observatory and is the highest point in the park. The "Owol" (오월) means the month of May, while "ru" (루/누) means a look-out or observatory. In the photograph of Mugaksa to the right of this page, Owolru is visible over the main hall.
[edit] Getting There
[edit] Nearby Attractions
The park is surrounded a department stores, movie theatres, love motels, hofs, and anma. Across the street from the park is an E-Mart and two movie theatres. Lotte Mart is a short walk away.
[edit] See also
[edit] External Links
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