Yeoju Godalsa Temple Site

Located on the slopes of Hyemaksan Mountain, the Godalsa Temple Site is one of the two major abandoned temple sites that showcase the grandeur of a former great temple. It was founded in 764 (the 23rd year of King Gyeongdeok of Unified Silla). During the late Silla period, it became the central temple of the Bongnimsan School, one of the Nine Mountain Schools of Seon (Zen) Buddhism that newly gained power. The temple was rebuilt by Master Hyeonuk (787–868), the founding patriarch of the Bongnimsan School, and later, Master Wongjong Daesa Chanyu (869–958) of Goryeo resided here for 28 years, receiving state patronage and growing the temple into one of the three major temples of Goryeo. The vast temple complex, said to have spanned an area of 30 ri (approx. 12 km) in circumference and housed hundreds of monks, was abandoned at an unknown time and for unknown reasons, likely around the late 17th century after the Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea). The site houses one National Treasure, four Treasures, and one Tangible Cultural Property, among other important designated cultural assets. Each artifact exudes immense power and bold spirit, retaining a splendid and majestic aura that evokes the dignity of Godalsa Temple in history. Visitors can see the largest stone pedestal (Treasure) at the Godalsa Temple Site, the stele of Master Wongjong Daesa (Treasure) with its lively tortoise base and capstone, the stupa of Godalsa Temple Site (National Treasure) and the stupa of Master Wongjong Daesa (Treasure) boasting outstanding balance and beauty of Goryeo-style stupas, and a large stone bowl (seokjo). However, the twin-lion stone lantern (Treasure) found collapsed at the Godalsa Temple Site is now erected at the National Museum of Korea. Additionally, the stele of Master Wongjong Daesa fell in the spring of 1915; its tortoise base and capstone remain at the site, while the broken stele body was moved to the National Museum of Korea. The reassembled original stele body is displayed at the Yeoju Museum, and a replica stele body is erected on the authentic tortoise base and capstone at the Godalsa Temple Site. Behind the stupa of Godalsa Temple Site and the stupa of Master Wongjong Daesa lies the Yeoju Sanggyo-ri Goryeo Stone Chamber Tomb, designated as a Gyeonggi-do Monument, making it a good spot to explore together.