Wanggung-ri Historical Site, located about 6km from the Mireuksa Temple Site in Iksan, is known as an important royal palace site built during the reign of King Mu at the end of Baekje and has direct ties to the Baekje royal family.
The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage of Buyeo began excavation surveys at the Wanggung-ri ruins in 1989, and excavations are still ongoing. Inside the rectangular stone walls measuring 490 meters north to south and 240 meters east to west, various remains have been unearthed, including the remains of large buildings, gardens, workshops, and toilets. As the name Wanggung-ri suggests, this may have been the site of a royal palace or related facilities from the Baekje period.
The 8.5m-tall five-story stone pagoda in Wanggung-ri and the excavation site
The Wanggung-ri Archaeological Museum, which opened in 1989, has five exhibits divided into five sections: Wanggung-ri Archaeological Site, Baekje buildings revealed at Wanggung-ri Archaeological Site, royal palace life, the transition from palace to temple, and Baekje's royal palace. As the Wanggung-ri Archaeological Site is the only ancient royal palace in Korea where the remains of the palace's outer walls and buildings remain, it is an important archaeological site that can provide an insight into the construction process of ancient royal palaces and the life of the royal family.
Wanggung-ri Historical Site Exhibition Hall and a model of the Wanggung-ri Historical Site
Exiting the exhibition hall, you will find the 5-story stone pagoda in Wanggung-ri (National Treasure No. 289) on the right. During repair work in 1965, a relic device made during the Goryeo dynasty was unearthed, which led to the construction of the stone pagoda being estimated as an early Goryeo dynasty stone pagoda that combined the style of Baekje stone pagodas with some Silla pagoda styles. In addition, remains of temples from the Unified Silla period, such as the site of a golden hall and lecture hall, have been found around the stone pagoda, which suggests that it was originally built as a palace or villa for Baekje, and that a temple was built on the site after Baekje was destroyed.
UNESCO World Heritage Registration Commemorative Exhibition
During the dismantling and restoration of the Wanggung-ri Five-Story Stone Pagoda in 1965, a gold relic box and urn, a Diamond Sutra inscribed on 19 gold plates, and a bronze standing Buddha statue were unearthed, believed to date from the early Goryeo period.
Although it is a little difficult to reach by public transport, how about visiting the Wanggung-ri ruins, which is believed to be the ancient Baekje royal palace currently under excavation?
| spot name | Wanggung-ri Historic Site / Wanggung-ri Relics Exhibition Hall 왕궁리유적지・왕궁리유적전시관 |
| Address | 562 Wanggung-ri, Wanggung-myeon, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do 562 |
| Phone | 063)859－4631 |
| Time | From morning 9 to afternoon 6 |
| Holiday | January 1st, every Monday |
| Admission fee | Free |
| Details | Baekje Historic Area, World Heritage Site, Historic Site No. 408 |
| Site | http://www.iksan.go.kr/wg/index.iksan |
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