East and West Three-story Stone Pagodas of Silsangsa Temple, Namwon

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.37

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

1963

Location

남원시, 전북특별자치도— 전북 남원시 산내면 입석길 94-129, 실상사 (입석리)

Coordinates

35.416743, 127.635233

These stone pagodas stand west and east in front of Bogwangjeon Hall at Silsangsa Temple, which was built in 828 (the third year of the reign of King Heungdeok) by Hong Cheok based on the geomantic belief that the spirit of the country would pass to Japan if a temple was not built at the site. The temple is famous not only for these three-story stone pagodas but also for its many stone relics including a stone lantern, funerary stupa, stele, and Seated Iron Buddha. Each of the pagodas consists of a three-story main body and a two-tier stylobate. The head part of the two pagodas is, unusually, well preserved on the whole. The main bodies of the pagodas follow the typical style of the Unified Silla Period, with the core stone and root stone each hewn from single blocks of stone. The corners of the core stone of each story is engraved with pillar patterns. The eaves of the roof stone run horizontally around the bottom of the four-tiered cornice, and its four corners turn slightly upwards. In particular, the orderly arrangement of the ornamentation on the top remains undamaged. Having exactly the same size and structure, the two pagodas undoubtedly date from the late Unified Silla Period, and, though clearly not masterpieces, they are outstanding works of their time.

Location