Stone pagoda of the Mireuk Temple
Published: 01 Jul. 2012, 19:56
Period: Baekje Dynasty (18 BC - AD 660)
Location: Iksan, North Jeolla
Status: National Treasure No. 11
The Mireuksajiseoktap is Korea’s oldest stone pagoda and is located within the vicinity of the Mireuk Temple in Iksan, North Jeolla. Mireuksa was the largest temple of the Baekje Dynasty (18 BC - AD 660). Experts strongly believe that Mireuksajiseoktap is the oldest and largest stone pagoda built during the King Mu period (600 - 640), near the end of the Baekje Era.
The pagoda is square-shaped and multi-storied, yet it is not known exactly how many stories it used to have as half of the building has been damaged and now there remains only six floors. Mireuksajiseoktap is divided into three spaces. The middle has an opening through which the inside of the monument can be penetrated in four directions. The pedestal is low and has a single story, just like a wooden pagoda. An hourglass-shaped pillar stone on each end of the pagoda acts as a support. From the second floor, the body of the pagoda lowers and simplifies, and the roof stones shrink in diameter.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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