Three-story stone pagoda at Bulguksa Temple

Name: Three-story stone pagoda at Bulguksa Temple

Period: Unified Silla Period

Location: Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang

Status: National Treasure No. 21

Its original name is “Sakyamuni-yeoraesangjuseolbeoptap pagoda,” sometimes shortened to “Seokgatap pagoda” (Sakyamuni pagoda).

The three-story body stands on a two-story platform. Imitating wooden construction style, it was built to have stone pillar-shaped carvings at each corner of the upper and lower platforms. Such pillar carvings were also made on the pagoda body, and the corners of the roof stone are all raised, making it look as if it will fly away.

The platform and body of the pagoda have no special decoration, but the top is quite ornate. That is because the pagoda was rebuilt in 1973 to imitate the Silsangsa stone pagoda (Treasure No. 37) in Namwon, which was built 100 years later.

The pagoda is surrounded by stones with lotus flower designs in every direction.

The work looks very settled in any direction of the pagoda due to its excellent balance, and we can feel the simplicity and grandeur from the pagoda.

The Bulguksa Temple dates back to the year 751.