Three-story Stone Pagoda in Chang-ri, Yeoju

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 pagoda is presumed to date to the late period of the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392). It was originally located at a Buddhist temple site in Chang-ri (today’s Chang-dong area), but it was moved to its current location at Yeongwol Park in 1958.

This pagoda is composed of a two-tier base, three sets of body and roof stones, and the remaining part of a decorative top. The sides of the lower base tier are decorated with pairs of eye-shaped designs, while the sides of the upper base tier are carved with upside-down lotus flower designs. This is a rare example of a pagoda’s base being decorated in a similar design as seen in the lotus-shaped pedestals of Buddhist statues.

This pagoda utilized a sculptural technique in which each roof stone and the adjacent body stone above it are actually a single stone carved to appear as two stones. This is a representative architectural style that is commonly featured in pagodas of the Goryeo period. The undersides of the roof stones are carved into three tiers. The roof’s eaves are very thick, and its slope is very gradual with slightly upturned corners.

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