Five-story Stone Pagoda of Geumsansa Temple, Gimje

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.25

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1963

Location

김제시, 전북특별자치도— 전북 김제시 금산면 모악15길 1, 금산사 (금산리)

Coordinates

35.723437, 127.053868

This stone pagoda is erected on a songdae, or tall pedestal, directly in front of a ordination platform, to the north of Geumsansa Temple in Gimje. It is believed that construction of a stone pagoda in front of a ordination platform is connected in some way with the religious customs surrounding the worship of sariras. The stone pagoda consists of a fininal, a five-story main body, and a two-tier stylobate. The bottom tier of the stylobate is smaller than the top one, and the top of the stylobate has an additional piece of stone to hold the cap stone. The stories taper upward, and the main part of each story is carved with a wide pillar pattern in relief on all four corners. The roof stone has a three-tiered cornice with eaves that form gentle upturned curves. The sixth layer is similar to the other layers in that a pillar pattern is engraved in every corner of the main part. The base of the pagoda finial, which looks like a roof stone, is designed to support the decoration on top of the pagoda and distinguishes the structure from that of other pagodas. The upper decoration has been preserved almost undamaged in its original form. The stone pagoda follows the overall style of the Unified Silla Dynasty, although the stylobates and roof stone are similar to those of the Goryeo Dynasty.

Location