Beomhangri Three-Tier Pagoda

SOUTH KOREA, Seoul

This pagoda, was originally located on the grounds of Beomhosa Temple in Beomhangni village, Sancheong county. It was built in the Unified Silla dynasty (668–935) and in 1947 it was relocated to the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. The pagoda was moved again in 2005 to the National Museum of Korea. It was listed as National Treasure No. 105 in 1962.
The 4.8 m high pagoda is made from granite. The base platform, which was added after the pagoda was relocated, consists of four stone blocks carved with two intermediate and corner pilasters on each face. It is topped with four stone slabs. The base, made up of four pieces of stones, is carved with a central pilaster and two corner pilasters on each face. There are reliefs of the Eight Classes of Dharma Protectors between the central and corner pilasters. There are depictions of Bodhisattvas seated on lotuses on the first level of the pagoda body. Each level of the body and each roof are made from individual stone blocks. There are corner pilasters on every level and four layers of corbeling under each roof. The spire is no longer extant.
During the Unified Silla dynasty reliefs were often added to pagodas to enhance their elegant appearance. This pagoda is a good example of such a style.