Three-story Stone Pagoda of Samhwasa Temple, Donghae

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 stone pagoda standing in the central courtyard of Samhwasa Temple is presumed to have been made in the 9th century during the Unified Silla period (668-935). Korean pagodas are typically made of granite, but this one is made of limestone. It measures 4.7 m in height.

The pagoda consists of a platform, a two-tier base, three sets of body and roof stones, and a decorative top. The platform was constructed using four stone slabs. Between the upper tier of the base and the first-story body stone, an additional stone plate was placed. The corners and sides of the base are carved to look like pillars, as are the corners of the body stones. The undersides of the roof stones are carved into four tiers, and the corners of the roof stones are slightly raised. The decorative top consists of a round base, an upsidedown bowl-shaped decoration, and a tilted finial pole.

Samhwasa Temple is said to have been founded in the mid-7th century. The temple was originally located about 1.5 km to the west but was relocated to the current site in 1977, at which time the pagoda was placed in front of Jeokgwangjeon Hall. In 1997, the pagoda was renovated and reassembled in its current location. During the renovation, a wooden container with miniature agalmatolite pagodas, bronze pedestal fragments, and iron fragments was found inside the upper tier of the base.

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