Three-story Stone Pagoda of Banyasa Temple, Yeongdong

This pagoda stands within the precincts of Banyasa Temple; it is said to have originally stood at "Tapbeol" in Seokcheongyegok valley north of the temple, and to have been moved to its present site in 1950. It is a stone pagoda with a single-tier base set on a foundation stone and a three-storey body above, standing 335 cm tall. It stands on an earthen platform and is largely intact from the foundation stone to the topmost storey. The foundation stone consists of six slabs in total. The four corners of its upper surface have projecting hip-ridge lines, and a groove about 3 cm deep is cut in the centre to hold the base slabs in place. The base consists of four stone slabs in total, each face carved with corner pilasters and a central pillar. The capstone is a single slab, with a groove about 3 cm deep cut in the centre to hold the first-storey body stone in place; projecting hip-ridge lines are likewise found at its four corners. The first-storey body consists of four slabs, each face carved with corner pilasters; the south and north face stones are later replacements. The second- and third-storey bodies were each carved from a single stone; the corner pilasters carved on the second storey show entasis, a slight swelling of the shaft. Judging by its condition, the third-storey body appears to be a later replacement. The roof stones of all three storeys were each carved from a single piece. The roof slopes of each storey are short and steep, and the roof-stone eave supports have five tiers on the first storey and four tiers on the second and third. The eaves are relatively thick and, unlike the common tendency toward straight lines, are rendered with a rounded curve, giving the corners a sharp upward flick. The upper surface of each roof stone has a low, single angular tier of moulding carved to support the body stone above. At the top survive a base plate pierced by a hole for the finial post, and a bowl-shaped ornament. Judging by its overall style, this stone pagoda is presumed to have been built in the early Goryeo period. At the same time, the joinery technique of the first-storey body carries on the tradition of Silla stone pagodas, while the grooves cut in the underside to hold the base slabs and the first-storey body are a feature of the Baekje-style pagodas built throughout the Chungcheong and Jeolla regions. Although some of its members have been replaced, the Three-story Stone Pagoda of Banyasa Temple, Yeongdong clearly displays the characteristics of a Goryeo-period pagoda built by combining Baekje and Silla stylistic traditions, and is regarded as a valuable resource.

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Where it is

Region

Yeongdong, Chungbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물