East and West Three-story Stone Pagodas in Cheongun-dong, Gyeongju

These twin pagodas stand to the east and west on an open, level site, and were restored in 1939 after having collapsed. Both share the same style, with a three-story body erected on a two-tiered foundation platform, and are identical in scale and technique. On each tier of the foundation, pillar shapes are carved at the four corners and in the middle of each side, with two carvings placed at each middle section. Each body stone and roof stone of the pagoda body is made of a single stone. The underside supports of the roof stones have five tiers at each story, and the eave lines are cut straight but curve up slightly at the four corners. During the 1939 excavation, a reliquary chamber measuring 24 cm on each side and 15 cm deep, for housing sari (Buddhist relics), was discovered in the third-story body stone. Of the finial ornaments atop the pagodas, only a partial remnant survives on the west pagoda, while all have been lost from the east pagoda. Dating from the late 8th century, these pagodas still retain the sturdy solidity characteristic of Unified Silla stone pagodas, with well-balanced proportions in each part and a dignified overall form.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물