Sungseonsa Temple Site, Chungju

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.445

Category

유적지

Era

고려 광종 5년(954년)

Designated year

2003

Location

충주시, 충청북도— 충북 충주시 신니면 문숭리 862-2번지 외

Coordinates

37.022627, 127.696149

Sungseonsa Temple was built in 954 (5th year of the reign of King Gwangjong) during the Goryeo Dynasty to pray for the peaceful afterlife of Gwangjong’s mother, Lady Sinmyeong Sunseong. The name of the temple was confirmed when a roof tile bearing the inscription “Sungseonsa” was found near the site. The three excavations (2000-2002) by the Museum of Chungcheong University discovered archaeological features such as the sites of the main hall, pagoda, and corridors. The original temple is estimated to have been rebuilt three times. The temple layout is typical of the Goryeo Dynasty style, with clear traces of architectural features including the sites of the south gate, main hall, shrine, pagoda, corridors, and east gate. Specific features include the granite base of buildings, cornerstones, core stones, gutters, rubble, retaining wall gutters, tiles, pagoda rubble, well, and ondol underfloor heating flues that preserved their original appearance. As such, the site needs to be protected as architectural remains of the Goryeo Dynasty, serving as valuable material for the study of Korean architecture history. Excavated relics include roof tile inscribed with “Sungseonsa,” gilt-bronze Bodhisattva head, bronze bell, nails for fixing roof tiles, buncheong barrel-shaped vessel, celadon bowls, white porcelain bowls, roof tile with demon design, owl’s tail ridge end tile, roof-end tiles, and dragon’s head roof tile. Since most of these are from the Goryeo Dynasty, they are likely relics from the temple. At the entrance to the temple are one flagpole support and a few private homes; the village is said to have been named Sungseon. Research has shown that the Sungseonsa Temple Site dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty; with the archaeological features remaining in relatively good condition, it has high academic and historical value.

Location