Three-story Stone Pagoda from Goseonsa Temple Site, Gyeongju

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.38

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

통일신라시대 초기

Designated year

1962

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경북 경주시 일정로 186, 국립경주박물관 (인왕동)

Coordinates

35.828128, 129.229058

This pagoda was discovered at the former site of Goseonsa Temple where Wonhyo, one of the greatest Buddhist monks, served as head monk. It was moved to its present location at the Gyeongju National Museum in 1975, as the area occupied by the Goseonsa Temple Site had to be flooded with water for the construction of Deokdong Dam. The pagoda consists of a three-story body mounted on a two-story platform - the prevalent style of the Unified Silla Period. The platform is made of several stones, and each of its sides is adorned with pillar-shaped carvings. The body is also made of several stones, although the third story of the main body is made of a single stone. Perhaps this was for making the space for the reliquaries that were found during the dismantling the stone pagoda prior to its reconstruction. The roof stone slopes gently toward the four corners, which are slightly raised, give the pagoda an appearance of lightness. The staircase-shaped support of the roof stone is made of five layers. The pagoda is presumed to have been built in the late 7th century, before the completion of typical styles in the stone pagodas of Unified Silla. This typical style can be also seen in the East and West Three-story Stone Pagodas at Gameunsa Temple Site (National Treasure No. 112), and reached its artistic peak with the Three-story Stone Pagoda of Bulguksa Temple (National Treasure No. 21).

Location