Five-Story Stone Pagoda at Bowonsa Temple Site

Name: Five-Story Stone Pagoda at Bowonsa Temple Site, Seosan

Period: Goryeo Period

Location: Seosan, South Chungcheong

Status: National Treasure No. 104

This stone pagoda, which was built during the Goryeo Dynasty, stands in front of the main hall at the site of Bowonsa Temple.

Although little is known about Bowonsa Temple, which is believed to have been built during the Baekje Dynasty, it has attracted great interest from academic circles ever since the Rock-Carved Buddha Triad in Yonghyeon-ri, Seosan (National Treasure No. 84), was found at the site in 1959.

The site also contains the stele and stupa built to commemorate State Preceptor Beobin, along with flagpole supports and a stone basin.

Judging from the relics found at the site, the temple must have been huge.

The remains of the upper part of the pagoda include the finial base and an iron rod which was used to secure the ornaments of the finial on the very top of the pagoda.

This outstanding stone pagoda of the early Goryeo Dynasty is rather formally carved, and gives an impression of gravity and stability.