Woljeongsa Temple Nine-Tier Pagoda

SOUTH KOREA, Gangwon, Pyeongchang

The pagoda is located in front of the Hall of Silence and Light at Woljeongsa Temple. The pagoda is believed to have been built in the 10th century during the early Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) to enshrine the Buddha relics. It was listed as National Treasure No. 48 in 1962.
The 15.2 m high pagoda stands on a two-layer octagonal base. The lower base is formed of four stone slabs decorated with lotus carvings. The upper base, carved with a pilaster at each corner, has a base stone at the bottom and a covering stone at the top. Unlike the other tiers, the first tier rests on its own octagonal base stone. There is a pilaster on each corner of every tier. The eaves are thick and curve up at the corners, from which bronze wind chimes hang. The spire is made of stone and gilt bronze and consists of an inverted lotus, stacked rings, an eight-pronged canopy, a flame-shaped ornament, jewels, and a finial. The Goryeo dynasty saw a movement away from the square style to the polygon style pagoda, of which this is an example.