Hexagonal Multi-story Stone Pagoda of Geumsansa Temple, Gimje

A pagoda is a symbolic monument enshrining the relics or remains of the Buddha. In many cases, a pagoda does not contain the actual remains, but is still regarded as a sacred place enshrining the Buddha.

This multi-story stone pagoda is presumed to have been made in the Goryeo period (918-1392). It originally stood in another section of the temple where monks practiced meditation. However, after the temple was destroyed in the Japanese invasions of 1592-1598, this section was not rebuilt, and so the pagoda was moved to its current location in 1635.

This pagoda is composed of a three-tiered base, 13 roof stones, two body stones, and a decorative top. Body and roof stones come in sets, but in this pagoda, all but the top two body stones are missing. Korean pagodas are usually made of light gray granite, as seen in this pagoda’s base and decorative top. However, its roof and body stones were made of black slate, which is a unique characteristic of this pagoda. On the corners of the roof stones, there are holes where a wind chime would have been hung. The decorative top is shaped like a wish-fulfilling jewel embedded in a lotus flower.

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