Three-story Stone Pagoda of Beopgyesa Temple, Sancheong

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.473

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1968

Location

산청군, 경상남도— 경남 산청군 시천면 지리산대로 320-292, 법계사 (중산리)

Coordinates

35.327622, 127.736132

This three-story pagoda standing on a platform of natural rock is situated to the left of the sanctum of Beopgyesa Temple*. Each core stone and roof stone is hewn from a single stone each, and every corner of the core stones is carved with a pillar pattern. Each roof stone is rather thick and has a three-tiered cornice under it. There is a cannonball-shaped stone laid on the ornamental top, but it seems to have been added later. Using natural rock as the platform of the pagoda was popular after the Silla Dynasty. The platform of this pagoda, in particular, is much simpler than those of other pagodas. Because of the simple and rustic style of construction, which is at odds with the typical style of the Silla’s stone pagodas, it is believed to have been built during the early Goryeo Dynasty. *Beopgyesa Temple, located on the eastern mountainside of Cheonwangbong Peak of Jirisan Mountain, is said to have been built by a monk, Yeongi in 544, the 5th year of the reign of King Jinheung of the Silla Dynasty. It is located at 1400 meters, the highest altitude among the temples in Korea. It was severely damaged during the Korean War (1950-1953), but when the Buddhist sanctum was newly constructed, it regained its proper appearance as a temple.

Location