The pagodas contain a relic reliquary made of bronze and gold, which was discovered inside the second story during a 1959 excavation.
The temple was specifically designed with a water channel leading under the main hall, intended to allow the 'Sea Dragon' (the spirit of King Munmu) to enter and exit the grounds.
These pagodas are constructed from 39 individual stone pieces each, demonstrating advanced 7th-century engineering techniques.
The pagodas are positioned exactly on an east-west axis, oriented toward the Daewangam Rock in the East Sea, where King Munmu’s underwater tomb is located.
The top of the pagodas features a 'suseon' (water-protecting decoration) that is unusually elaborate compared to later Silla designs.
The Three-story Stone Pagoda of Gameunsa Temple Site consists of two massive, identical stone pagodas constructed in 682 CE during the Silla Kingdom. These pagodas are the largest stone pagodas built during the Unified Silla period, standing over 13 meters tall. They were commissioned by King Sinmun to honor his father, King Munmu, who requested to be buried at sea to protect the kingdom from Japanese pirates. The temple site features a unique underground waterway designed to allow dragons, representing the spirit of the deceased king, to travel between the sea and the temple courtyard. While the original wooden temple buildings were destroyed by fire centuries ago, the stone pagodas remain remarkably intact. They are constructed using a distinct assembly method involving large stone slabs rather than a single monolithic block. The site is a designated National Treasure of South Korea.
Position yourself between the two pagodas looking toward the central site entrance to capture both structures symmetrically.
Bring a wide-angle lens, as the sheer scale of the twin pagodas is difficult to capture from close range.
Visit the site's small information pavilion to see diagrams of the original wooden temple layout before walking the grounds.
The area is highly exposed; bring sun protection during summer months as there is minimal natural shade.
Do not mistake the modern surrounding village area for part of the historic temple precinct; remain within the designated site boundaries.
Maintain a quiet volume and refrain from touching or climbing on the ancient stone components.
