The Sansa Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea are a breathtaking example of Korean architecture and culture, located in Gurim-ri, South Korea. Established from the 7th to 9th centuries, these seven temples comprise a unique property that showcases common characteristics specific to Korea.

Overview

The Sansa are a group of Buddhist mountain monasteries that have survived as living centres of faith and daily religious practice for centuries. These sacred places are home to a large number of individually remarkable structures, objects, documents, and shrines.

History

Listed on the National Register in 1970 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018, the Sansa demonstrate their historical significance by being a common characteristic among Korean Buddhist mountain monasteries. According to UNESCO, these seven temples present a unique architectural arrangement that reflects the cultural heritage of Korea.

Architecture

The spatial arrangement of the seven temples presents a common characteristic specific to Korea – the ‘madang’ (open courtyard) flanked by four buildings: Buddha Hall, pavilion, lecture hall, and dormitory. These structures contain a large number of individually remarkable features, including shrines, objects, documents, and artworks.

Location

The Sansa are located in Gurim-ri, South Korea, at coordinates 34.4755555556, 126.616944444. They are situated throughout the southern provinces of the Korean Peninsula.

Religious Significance

These mountain monasteries are sacred places where Buddhist faith and daily religious practice continue to thrive. The Sansa serve as a living example of the importance of spiritual connection with nature in Korean culture.

Notable Artworks and Features

Unfortunately, no specific details about notable artworks or features within the Sansa are available.

Heritage Status

Listed on the National Register in 1970 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018, the Sansa demonstrate their cultural significance. According to UNESCO (2018), these seven temples present common characteristics that reflect the specific architectural style of Korea.

Visiting Information

Unfortunately, no information is available about visiting the Sansa Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea.