Gongju Seohyeolsa Temple Site

About this place

Gongju Seohyeolsa Temple Site is an ancient temple site located on the east slope of Mangwolsan in Ungjin-dong, Gongju. Roof tiles inscribed with the name 'Seohyeolsa' were found here, and the discovery of characteristic Baekje lotus-patterned eave tiles alongside roof tiles and stone pagoda elements from the Unified Silla and Goryeo periods indicates this was a Baekje-era temple. The site appears to have been built in three terraced levels cut into a gently sloping field, supported by stone retaining walls. Archaeological investigation showed the temple buildings were oriented toward the south regardless of the terrain, with the pagoda, main hall, and lecture hall arranged in a straight line. A related cave temple used a natural cave as a monk's meditation hermitage, measuring 8 m long × 4.5 m high × 17 m wide. The north wall preserves a stone platform on which a Buddha image was once enshrined. Three stone Buddha figures recovered from the site suggest it was rebuilt during the Unified Silla period. The cave temple reflects Baekje's adoption of the cave sanctuary technique from the Southern Chinese dynasties. In recognition of its value, it was designated a Chungnam Provincial Monument on 31 December 1982.