Three-story Stone Pagoda at Dongsa Temple Site, Hanam

A pagoda is a symbolic monument enshrining the relics or remains of the Buddha. Although not all pagodas contain the true remains, they are nonetheless worshiped as sacred places that enshrine the Buddha.

This three-story stone pagoda stands alongside a five-story stone pagoda to the east of the site of the main worship hall of Dongsa Temple. The pagoda is presumed to have been built in the Goryeo period (918-1392). It measures about 3.6 m in height. The pagoda consists of a two-tier base and three sets of body and roof stones. Its decorative top is missing. Each side of the lower tier of the base is carved with three eye-shaped designs, and the corners and sides of the upper tier of the base are carved to look like pillars. Each story’s body and roof stone are made of a single piece of stone, and the corners of the body stones are carved to look like pillars. The undersides of the roof stones are carved into tiers: five on the first and second story and four on the third story. The two-tier base and the slight upward curve of the eaves of the roof stones are characteristic of stone pagodas of the Unified Silla period (668-935). Overall, the pagoda conveys a strong sense of stability and demonstrates a refined sculptural technique.

During a renovation of the pagoda in 1965 and 1966, a number of artifacts were found inside the pagoda, including 29 miniature pagodas, one gilt-bronze buddha statue, one bronze statue, and one agalmatolite seated buddha statue. The artifacts are currently displayed at the Hanam Museum of History.

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