Godalsa Temple Site, Yeoju

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.382

Category

유적지

Era

경덕왕 23년(764)

Designated year

1993

Location

여주시, 경기도— 경기도 여주시 북내면 상교리 411-1번지 외

Coordinates

37.393261, 127.653418

As a historic Buddhist temple site, Godalsa Temple was built in 764, the 23rd year of the reign of King Gyeongdeok of the Silla Dynasty. Godalsa Temple had been a very prosperous and large Buddhist temple under the protection of many kings succeeding King Gwangjong during the Goryeo Dynasty. There is no record as to when and why it was closed, however. Quite a few cultural heritage have been found at the site. Among them, the Stupa at the Godalsa Temple Site (National Treasure No. 4), a round stone Buddhist pagoda where the bones of a renowned Buddhist monk were placed, boasts of refined shape and engraving. The tortoise-shaped pedestal and ornamental capstone of the Stele for Buddhist Monk Wonjong, a stone monument built to honor highly learned Buddhist Monk Wonjong, were found at the Godalsa Temple Site (Treasure No. 6). It was erected in 975, clearly showing the stylistic change of the Buddhist pagodas and monuments from the late Silla Dynasty to the early Goryeo Dynasty. The Stupa of Buddhist Monk Wonjong at the Godalsa Temple Site (Treasure No.7) shows the engraving skills of stupa in the Goryeo Period with its refined shape. The Stone Pedestal at the Godalsa Temple Site (Treasure No. 8) and Twin Lion Stone Lantern from the Godalsa Temple Site (Treasure No. 282) were also found at the site. The stone lantern was later moved to the National Museum of Korea.

Location