Three-story Stone Pagoda in Eunseon-ri, Jeongeup

This three-story stone pagoda stands in the village of Eunseon-ri, Jeongeup, and has a distinctive form rarely seen elsewhere in Korea. The base is a low single tier, in the same style as the Five-story Stone Pagoda at the Jeongnimsa Temple Site in Buyeo (a national treasure). The body stones and roof stones are each made up of several separate blocks. The body stone of the first story is extremely tall, giving an almost misshapen impression, and pillar shapes are only faintly carved at the corners of each face. The body stone of the second story is much reduced in both height and width, and on its south face are fitted two door panels, thought to form a gamsil, a niche for enshrining a Buddha image. Normally such a feature is only carved in relief on the wall surface, so door panels actually fitted on both sides are extremely rare. The body stone of the third story is smaller still and has no further decoration. The roof stones are simply formed of flat slabs. At the very top rests another flat stone, though it is not clear whether this forms part of the pagoda's head ornament. The pagoda is presumed to have been built in the mid-Goryeo period. Its base and roof stones show the style of Baekje stone pagodas, demonstrating that even during the Goryeo period, pagodas in the Baekje style continued to be built on former Baekje territory. Because the body stone of the first story is excessively tall and both the base and body stones are narrow, the pagoda appears tall but lacks stability, so it cannot be regarded as an outstanding work; nevertheless, it is of interest for its unusual features and for what it reveals about the route by which the Baekje style of pagoda spread.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jeongeup, Jeonbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물