Hexagonal Multi-story Stone Pagoda of Geumsansa Temple, Gimje

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.27

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1963

Location

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

Coordinates

35.723268, 127.053473

This stone pagoda was moved from its original site at Bongcheonwon Hermitage of Geumsansa Temple to its current location in front of Daejeokgwangjeon Hall. Unlike other tetragonal pagodas made with bright gray granite, this hexagonal stone pagoda was made with black-and-white slate. Both sides of the stylobate are engraved with lotus flower patterns. It is assumed that each story of the main body of the pagoda originally had a core stone, but now only the top two stories have one. The core stones are engraved with a pillar pattern at the corners and a sitting Buddha image inside a circle on each side, while the center of the base supporting the pagoda is engraved with dragon and flowers patterns. The roof stone slopes gently, but turns swiftly upwards at the corners. The granite decoration on the top was restored later as all its original decoration had disappeared. The use of slate, which is the main ingredient of ink-stones, lends a unique atmosphere to the pagoda, which maintains a delicate balanced harmony as it tapers upwards. Judging by the engraving techniques applied to the main part and the roof stone, it is thought to have been built around the early Goryeo Period.

Location