The Baekje Royal Palace was transformed into a temple equipped with a pagoda, golden hall, and lecture hall in the late Baekje or early Unified Silla period. Roof tiles engraved with temple names such as ‘WangGungSa(Royal Palace Temple)’, ‘DaeGwanGwanSa(DaeGwanGwan Temple)’ and ‘GwanGungSa(GwanGung Temple)’ were excavated at the temple site, allowing us to guess the name of the temple.
Although it is not possible to confirm the specific reason why it was changed from a royal palace to a temple, some scholars suggest that this transformation was intended to serve as a memorial site for King Mu, who was interred at the SsangNeung(King Mu's tomb) in Iksan. This interpretation posits that the temple was used to pray for the king Mu's peace in the afterlife.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Baekje Historic Areas
The Baekje Historic Areas comprise a total of eight significant sites from the Baekje period, including the Archaeological Site in Wanggung-ri, Iksan Mireuksa Temple Site, Gongju Gongsanseong Fortress, Tomb of King Muryeong and Royal Tombs, Gongju, Archaeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri, Buyeo, Busosanseong Fortress, Royal Tombs, Jeongnimsa Temple Site, and Naseong.
These heritage sites, which represent the unique culture, religion, and artistic beauty of late Baekje (475–660), were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. The Baekje Historic Areas are recognized for their significance in illustrating the interexchange of ancient kingdoms in East Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan. They also serve as outstanding evidence of Baekje's beliefs in the afterlife, religious practices, architectural techniques, and artistic expressions. This designation reaffirms the invaluable legacy left by the Baekje people, which we must preserve together with the global community.
Representative Artifact
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WangGungSa
Roof Tiles Engraved With Temple Names -
WangGungSa
Roof Tiles Engraved With Temple Names Details -
DaeGwanGwanSa
Roof Tiles Engraved With Temple Names -
DaeGwanGwanSa
Roof Tiles Engraved With Temple Names Details -
GwanGungSa
Roof Tiles Engraved With Temple Names -
GwanGungSa
Roof Tiles Engraved With Temple Names Details -
GwanGungSa
Roof Tiles Engraved With Temple Names