Geumgoksa Three-Story Stone Pagoda

The Geumgoksa Three-Story Stone Pagoda is a three-story stone pagoda from the Goryeo period. One slab stone each on the front and back sides of the central stone of the stylobate had been lost, and the capstone was partially damaged, so it had been preserved in a state that lost its original form. During the dismantling and restoration work in 1988, 32 sarira of the Sakyamuni Buddha were discovered in the third-story body stone, leading to a new understanding of this pagoda. This stone pagoda is a large pagoda exceeding 5 meters as a three-story stone pagoda, and in terms of its form, it adheres to the typical Goryeo style while incorporating some elements of Baekje-style stone pagodas in parts such as the composition of the stylobate and the ridge of the roof stone. The first-story roof stone is assembled from four stone pieces and is relatively thick, with gentle eaves curves and a gradual upward turn at the corners. The second- and third-story roof stones are each assembled from two stone pieces, and the supports on the underside are reduced to five tiers for the second story and four tiers for the third story. The third-story body stone is also treated flat without corner pillars on each face. The finial has been completely lost. Additionally, the example of the first-story body stone being stacked in two pieces can be seen in the Gwangju West Five-Story Stone Pagoda and the Jangseong Naegye-ri Five-Story Stone Pagoda, so the construction date of this pagoda is estimated to be the Goryeo period. Address: 261-21, Kkachinaero, Gundong-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do