▲ Five-Story Stone Pagoda at Jeongnimsa Temple site

Five-Story Stone Pagoda at Jeongnimsa Temple site, Buyeo which has the aesthetic value of a sculpture, is standing in the middle of Buyeo where Baekje bloomed the Buddhism. The pagoda is highly valued because it shared the history of the Baekje Dynasty’s rise and fall. Even 1400 years later, it still exhibits the sophistication of Baekje period culture. 

 
Five-Story Stone Pagoda at Jeongnimsa Temple site (National Treasure No. 9) at Buyeo-eup, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do. It is a historic relic which represents the beauty of Baekje. Along with Mireuksaji (National Treasure No. 11) at Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, it is one of the two remaining Korean stone pagodas in existence.

When Baekje was completely defeated by the allied forces of Shilla and the Tang Dynasty in A.D. 660, the temple was burned to the ground, but the nearby pagoda was spared. Engulfed in flames was the Jeongnim Temple.

Jeongnimsa-ji(temple site, 定林寺址) implies the place where the Jeongnim Temple existed before. The Tang Dynasty general left a note saying “Memorial Monument for defeating Baekje” on the pagoda. Such a name, rendered in Korean as “Pyeongjetap(平濟塔 : Pyeongje Stone Pagoda)” would have been one of public humiliation. 

Five-Story Stone Pagoda at Jeongnimsa Temple site is the oldest stone pagoda in existence and it represents a historic prototype of stone pagodas in the Three Dynasty’s period. The boy of the pagoda and five pedestals are fixed on the narrow and low stereobate.

Each corner of the pagoda body in each story holds a pillar stone, which is the “Beheullim” technique used for wooden style pagodas. The pillar's upper and lower extremities are narrow while its middle is convexly shaped.

Thin and wide roof stones covering the edges of the eaves display the characteristics of wooden architecture, which are described as lofty and elegant.

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