Four Lion Three-story Stone Pagoda in Gwaeseok-ri, Hongcheon

This pagoda originally stood in Gwaeseok-ri, Duchon-myeon, and has been relocated to its present site in front of the Hongcheon County Council building. The area where the pagoda once stood is thought to have been the site of a temple, but it is now farmland, with only scattered roof-tile fragments remaining nearby. The pagoda consists of a three-storey body raised on a two-tier base, and because it has four stone lions, it is called the 'Four-Lion Pagoda.' Each face of the lower base tier is carved with niche-shaped panels, decorated inside with floral patterns, which reflect the characteristics of the Goryeo period well. At each corner of the upper base tier stands a stone lion supporting the broad flat stone above—this is the pagoda's most distinctive feature. On the floor and ceiling of the central space enclosed by these lions is a lotus-shaped pedestal, suggesting that a Buddha image originally stood there. The pagoda body has its body stones and roof stones each carved from a single piece of stone. The roof stones have three tiers of supports carved on their undersides and, perhaps because of their steep slope, are thin and plain. The four corners curve slightly upward to a point. At the top of the pagoda, only a square finial base remains of the crowning ornament. Overall, there is damage in places and traces of wear, but the pagoda largely retains its original form. The carving technique of the niche-shaped panels on the base, the stone lions, the lotus pedestal, and the three-tiered supports of the roof stones all strongly convey the style of the Goryeo period. Although the composition of the materials follows Unified Silla methods in many respects, the pagoda is believed to have been built after the middle of the Goryeo period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Hongcheon, Gangwon

Designation

Treasure · 보물