Bowonsaji Five-story Stone Pagoda, Seosan

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.352

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

고려시대

Designated year

2025

Location

서산시, 충청남도— 충남 서산시 운산면 용현리 119-1번지

Coordinates

36.761847, 126.601107Kakao address conversion

This English description was machine-translated and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the original Korean text for details.

Five-Story Stone Pagoda at Bowonsa Temple Site, Seosan. The Five-Story Stone Pagoda at the Bowonsa Temple site in Seosan is confirmed by the stele inscription of National Preceptor Bobseung to have been erected in the mid-10th century during the reign of King Gwangjong of Goryeo (r. 949-975), making it a chronological standard work for Goryeo stone pagodas. The double-tiered structural base platform features realistically carved lion sculptures of varying directions and postures on the lower tier face-stones, and gracefully executed figures of the eight classes of celestial beings (팔부중상) on the upper tier. The five-story pagoda body and roof stones taper with each ascending level, creating a stable and well-proportioned composition. Clearly documenting the relationship between the Goryeo royal court and Buddhism while inheriting late Unified Silla construction techniques and introducing new Goryeo-period methods, this stone pagoda possesses outstanding historical, academic, and artistic value.

Location