Geumgoksa Three-story Stone Pagoda, Gangjin

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.829

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1985

Location

강진군, 전라남도— 전남 강진군 군동면 까치내로 261-21, 금곡사 (파산리) / (지번)전남 강진군 군동면 파산리 1012-2

Coordinates

34.666444, 126.777570

Three km along the way from Gangjin to Jakcheon, one can see Bipasan Mountain, with Geumgoksa Temple located at the middle of it. This pagoda consists of a single-story stylobate and a three-story main part. It has lost its finial decoration and several pieces from the stylobate and the main part. The stylobate is made up with four pillars at the edge with a flat stone between the pillars. In particular, one side is filled with small stones without a flat stone. The method of construction of the corner-pillars being erected without a pattern engraved on them can be seen in the Five-story Stone Pagoda at Jeongnimsa Temple Site, Buyeo (National Treasure No. 9). The first story of the main stone of the pagoda has a shrine on each face. In contrast a wooden structure where the shrine functions as a place to enter and house an image of the Buddha, the shrine serves as a mere decoration in a stone construction. This pagoda is outstanding in that it reveals a stable ratio as it narrows up to the third story of the body stone, and that it is well structured at every point. Built in the Goryeo Dynasty, the pagoda still retains some aspects of the Baekje Dynasty style. The deterioration of the pagoda points up the urgency of keeping and protecting our cultural assets.

Location