Nine-story Wooden Pagoda of Mireuksa Temple Site

The artifact displayed here is a miniature of the Nine-story Wooden Pagoda that was originally located in the middle of Mireuksa Temple. This pagoda disappeared after the collapse of Baekje, but it was able to be recreated by examining historical records and the site.

Do you know how the artisans of Baekje constructed wooden pagodas?

The pagodas were constructed only out of wood and nails were not used.

The timber was hewn and trimmed to the exact requirements of the design so that the pieces would fit precisely together, but the techniques used were so refined that even today it is difficult to replicate them. Even more surprisingly, the Nine-story Wooden Pagoda of Mireuksa Temple Site was discovered to have been taller than a 20-story apartment building.

So why do you think the people of Baekje people built such a large temple and pagoda? Belief in the Buddhist saint began in Baekje in around the 6th century. The people believed that one day the Buddhist saint would come to save them from the devastating wars of the time. The king attempted to unify and comfort the people by building a monument honoring the Buddhist saint, in the hope that the saint would protect the kingdom and allows it to prosper.