Seven-story Stone Pagoda in Tappyeong-ri, Chungju

This pagoda represents the Jungwon period. It is also known as Jungangtap, which literally means ‘central pagoda,’ because it is located at what was the center of Unified Silla territory. Many stone pagodas date to the Silla period, but this is the only one with seven story. Archaeologists differ as to exactly when this pagoda was built, but it is believed to date to the late 8th or early 9th century. It stands on a two-tier base made of some ten huge rectangular stones. It rises 12.95 meters and tapers, giving the pagoda a sense of strong feeling of rising into the sky.

The pagoda was dismantled and restored several times through the centuries, and it may not retain its original appearance. When it was restored in 1917, an ancient document, two copper mirrors, a wooden lacquered box, and a silver box containing relics of Buddha were discovered in the sixth level and a bronze box was found in the platform. The copper mirrors date to the Goryeo period, when it is believed that this pagoda was significantly altered.

Source: Korea Heritage Service signboard ↗ · collected 2026-10-08