Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda, Stone pagoda at National Museum of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda is a ten-story marble structure housed in the National Museum of Korea, standing 13.5 meters tall with a cross-shaped foundation that extends in four directions. The building displays intricate carved details across its entire height, creating a striking vertical monument to Buddhist craftsmanship.
The pagoda was constructed in 1348 during the reign of King Chungmok, representing the skilled stonework of the Goryeo era. It was taken to Japan in 1907 but returned to Korea in 1918 following international efforts to restore it to its homeland.
The structure displays elaborate carvings of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and floral patterns on each level, reflecting how Goryeo artists expressed Buddhist beliefs through stonework. These decorative elements remain visible to visitors walking around the base and middle sections.
The pagoda stands in the Path to History section of the National Museum of Korea following comprehensive restoration work completed in 2005. Visitors can walk around it to view the full cross-shaped design and observe the carved details at close range from different angles.
Unlike traditional Korean pagodas built from granite, this structure uses marble and incorporates design elements that mirror wooden architecture techniques. This blend of material and building style makes it a distinctive example of religious design from its period.
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