Three-story Stone Pagoda at Heungbeopsa Temple Site, Wonju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.464

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1968

Location

원주시, 강원특별자치도— 강원 원주시 지정면 안창리 517-2번지

Coordinates

37.338257, 127.815100

This three-story stone pagoda, erected during the Goryeo Dynasty, is located in the middle of the field, which is believed to have been the former site of Heungbeopsa Temple. Having existed from the Silla to the Goryeo Dynasties, Heungbeopsa Temple used to have the Stupa of Buddhist Monk Yeomgeo from the Heungbeopsa Temple Site in Wonju (Presumed) (National Treasure No. 104) and the Stupa of Buddhist Monk Jingong and Stone Casket from the Heungbeopsa Temple Site in Wonju (Treasure No. 365) besides this pagoda. The pagoda consists of the two-layer stylobate, the three-story main body resembling the shape of a tile-roofed house, and the finial. Every facet of the bottom layer of the stylobate is engraved with three panel decorations having the design of flower, which represents a typical characteristic of the Goryeo Dynasty’s pagoda decoration. The upper side of the upper layer of the stylobate is slanted, and it has a 3-tier supporting stone to support the core stone of the first story. The main body containing sarira or Buddhism Canon is quite small compared with the stylobate. All corners of the core stones are engraved with pillar patterns. The core stone of the first story is carved with a square gate leaf with door handle decoration, which is extremely damaged. The roof stones seem thick, slope sharply, and have a four-tier cornice. On the whole, the roof stones are considerably damaged. The eaves are straight but curve slightly upward on the edges as the typical style of the pagodas of the Goryeo Dynasty. All the parts of the finial are missing except its base, which is also damaged. The imbalance of the main body and stylobate, composition of stones, and simple carving style suggest that this pagoda dates back to the early Goryeo Dynasty.

Location