Octagonal Seven-story Stone Pagoda of Changgyeonggung Palace

This stone pagoda stands beside a pond within Changgyeonggung Palace and has a seven-story body raised on an octagonal plan. The platform consists of a tall single tier set above three tiers of base stones, and every face is covered with carving. The base stones have a square lowest tier, above which are two octagonal tiers, each face carved in shallow relief with an-sang, an arch-shaped decorative motif. Where the base stones meet the platform, a single tier of lotus-petal support stones was placed, and the platform itself is carved on every face with floral designs. The uppermost stone of the platform is likewise decorated with lotus designs and an-sang motifs, and above it a tall lotus-shaped support stone and two low tiers of supports were placed to bear the first story of the pagoda body. The lowest body stone of the seven-story pagoda is tall and convex in form, with the stories becoming lower from the second upward; the roof stones are carved with ridge lines in imitation of the tiled roofs of wooden architecture. At the top is a finial that appears to have been added at a later date. An inscription on the first-story body stone records the date the pagoda was erected, revealing that it was built in 1470, the first year of King Seongjong of Joseon.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jongno-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물