Godalsa, Buddhist temple archaeological site in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Godalsa, also known as Godal Temple, is the archaeological site of an ancient Buddhist temple in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Stone foundations, platform bases, and several surviving stone monuments are spread across the grounds.
The temple was founded in 764 during the Silla Dynasty, under King Gyeongdeok, and grew into a major religious center during the Goryeo period. King Gwangjong is said to have patronized the monastery, though when it was abandoned remains unclear.
The site takes its name from a stonemason called Godal, who built the temple and then became a monk after completing his work. Visitors today can see carved stone bases and fragments that reflect how Buddhist devotion shaped the place over generations.
The grounds are in a quiet part of Yeoju and easy to walk through at a relaxed pace. Visiting during drier seasons makes it easier to move around the site and see the stone remains more clearly.
One of the most notable finds on the site is a multi-tiered stone stupa that once held the remains of a Buddhist monk and is now listed as a national treasure. A stone lantern shaped like a lion, also found here, was moved to the National Museum of Korea for safekeeping.
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