Provided are a variable resistance semiconductor memory device which changes its resistance without being affected by an underlying layer and is suitable as a memory device of increased capacity, and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor memory device in the present invention includes: a first contact plug formed inside a first contact hole penetrating through a first interlayer insulating layer; a lower electrode having a flat top surface and is thicker above the first interlayer insulating layer than above the first contact plug; a variable resistance layer; and an upper electrode. The lower electrode, the variable resistance layer, and the upper electrode compose a variable resistance element.