Stupa of Silsangsa Temple, Namwon

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.36

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1963

Location

남원시, 전북특별자치도— 전라북도 남원시 산내면 입석리 205-7

Coordinates

35.416425, 127.631549

This typical octagonal stupa is located at Silsangsa Temple, which is famous for its many stone relics - including a three-story pagoda, a lantern, a funerary stupa and a stele, all of which are made of stone – and its Seated Iron Buddha. In 1967, a bronze bell, which is presumed to have been made in the late Unified Silla period, was discovered at the temple precinct. The stupa’s bottom stone is carved with dragons belching fire and clouds, while the middle one is entirely free of decoration. The eight lotus petals engraved on the top stone hold up the core of the stupa, and floral patterns are engraved on each corner. Only one side of the main body is adorned - with a shallow carving of a door pattern. The roof slopes sharply, and its eight corners are embossed with small flowers. The finial decoration consisting of a lotus bud sits on the top of the unadorned round stone. Despite the loss of stability caused by the longish structure, the stupa still exudes a sense of refinement. The brittle nature of the stone allows only simple engraving, and the floral decoration on the uppermost supporting stone is heavily worn. Nonetheless, it is still regarded as a fine example of a funerary stupa, and is thought to have been built in early Goryeo, which inherited the style of the Unified Silla Period.

Location