Site of Seonwon Temple in Ganghwa

Site of Seonwon Temple in Ganghwa

The Site of Seonwon Temple in Ganghwa is located in Jisan-ri, Seonwon-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon Metropolitan City, South Korea. It was first discovered in 1976 by the Ganghwa Island Academic Survey Team from Dongguk University. At that time, the site only had a few foundation stones featuring Buddhist motifs, roof tiles inscribed with Sanskrit characters, and miscellaneous statues placed on rooftops. Later investigations uncovered architectural foundations, pedestals, drainage facilities, and unearthed a significant number of artifacts, gradually bringing it to public attention and leading to its designation as Historic Site No. 259.

The entire architectural complex of the Site of Seonwon Temple in Ganghwa is situated on a north-high and south-low terrain, extending east to west across four terraced sections. The central area features a large architectural foundation with a 38-meter-long base that shows remnants of a Buddhist altar supporting a triad of Buddha statues. Currently, 21 independent building foundations and 7 associated corridors have been identified at the site, along with a wealth of excavated artifacts including lotus-patterned roof tiles, a gold-copper birth Buddha statue, a bronze arhat statue, a bird-headed ornament, miscellaneous statues, carbonized gold-lacquered scriptures, and ink-inscribed scriptures. These findings are of great significance for the study of religious beliefs and architectural art of the period.

Sonwongsa Temple Site

Must-visit reason: The most important temple ruins in Ganghwa County

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Korea[Korea]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Incheon Metropolitan City [Incheon Metropolitan City]

City where the attraction is located: Ganghwa County [Ganghwa County]