13-story Stone Pagoda of Jeonghyesa Temple
It was built in the ninth century, and remains in its original form at the site of Jeonghyesa Temple in Gyeongju.
The body of the pagoda stands on a single-story platform made of clay. The pagoda body’s first story is huge, and the core of the first story has square stone pillars at the four corners, along with four supporting pillars.
The roof and supporting part of the roof stone are made of different stones, and the eaves are straight, but the corners are raised.
After the second story, the core and roof stone of the body sharply decreases in size, so it looks as if there is a head decoration attached to a one-story pagoda.
Only the base of the stupa finial remains on the top of the pagoda.
Not only does this pagoda have 13 stories that are rarely seen, but there are also openings on the four faces of the first core.
Name: 13-story Stone Pagoda of Jeonghyesa Temple
Period: Unified Silla
Location: Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang
Status: National Treasure No. 40
*The photos and text for National Treasure are provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration. For more information, call (042) 481-4650 or visit www.cha.go.kr
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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