Songnimsa Temple Five-Tier Pagoda

SOUTH KOREA, North Gyeongsang, Chilgok

This pagoda is located at Songnimsa (Pine Forest Temple). It is believed that the pagoda was built in the 9th century during the Unified Silla dynasty (668–935). It was renovated in 1959 and listed as Treasure No. 189 in 1963.
The 16.2 m high pagoda was built with bricks using alternating headers and stretchers. The body decreases in width with height and the eaves are supported with brick corbeling. The spire has a harmika, an inverted bowl, an upright lotus, stacked canopies, and wish-fulfilling jewels. Beside the brick harmika, the rest of the spire is made of bronze. The overall impression created by the pagoda body and spire is that of balance and harmony. During the renovation in 1959, artifacts such as wooden and bonze Buddha statues, as well as reliquaries of various shapes and sizes, were found. These items were listed as Treasures No. 325 in 1963 and are currently in the collection of the Daegu National Museum.