Three-story Stone Pagoda at Mujangsa Temple Site, Gyeongju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.126

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

1963

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경북 경주시 암곡동 산1-7번지

Coordinates

35.881342, 129.350207

Mujangsa Temple, located on the mountain area far away from Gyeongju as the capital of the Silla Dynasty, was named by King Munmu after he unified the three kingdoms of Baekje, Silla, and Goguryeo. Since the word “Mujang” means a place where arms and helmets are buried, his construction of the temple and this three-story stone pagoda is interpreted as an expression of his strong desire to open a peaceful era that would need no arms. This stone pagoda consists of the double-tier stylobate and three-story main body that reflects the typical style of Silla's stone pagodas. The lower part of the stylobate is carved with pole patterns on its center and middle, and the upper part, with two “panel designs” for each side. While the main body of the first story is taller than the others, each of the core stones and roof stones of the main body is made of a single stone block. There is no other decoration except the pole-shaped designs carved on each corner of the core stone. The roof stone for each story tapers gently in size from bottom to top, decorated with five-tier cornices. The eaves are straight, swiftly turning upward at each corner. The tall core stone of the first story and the “panel” designs carved on the stylobate indicate that it was erected during the latter part of the ninth century. This stone pagoda was restored and reconstructed in 1963.

Location