안동 고성이씨 탑동파 종택

Imcheonggak House and Seven-Story Brick Pagoda at Beopheungsa Temple Site are the places that have both the glorious and tragic history of Korea. The famous writer Yoo Hong-jun, who served as the Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration, mentioned the story of Imcheonggak House and Seven-Story Brick Pagoda Beopheungsa Temple Site in his book My Exploration of Cultural Heritage. The detail of the story is as follows. “Over the bank of Nakdonggang River that surrounds the east side of downtown Andong, a railway was built during the Japanese colonial period. The bank passed by the side of the Seven-Story Brick Pagoda Beopheungsa Temple Site very closely. The servants' quarters at the Goseong Yi clan's head house had to be broken down, as well as Gunjajeong Pavilion, of Imcheonggak House located in the mountain with a beautiful Nakdonggang River view. Even today, every time the train passes, these places must endure the vibration and noise that even shakes the ground. This is such a tragedy that the national assets and treasures still suffer in the poor surrounding.” Let's first look at the Imcheonggak House. This oldest residential house in Korea is also the birthplace of Seokju Lee Sang-ryong, the independence activist and the first Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. This house was built in 1515 by Lee Rak, who served as assistant section chief of the Ministry of Justice. It is a mansion designated as a treasure of Korea, where 500 years of history remained intact. It was originally larger in size, but during the Japanese colonial period, it was considered a house where many disobedient and delinquent Koreans were born. For that reason, the Japanese demolished the servants' quarters and pavilions during the construction of the centerline railway. Since it still boasts great dignity, you can imagine how magnificent this place would have been if the original form had remained intact. Currently, it is constantly visited by tourists who want to try out various experience programs and stay overnight. Imcheonggak House is also special in that it is located near the National Treasure of Korea, Seven-Story Brick Pagoda at Beopheungsa Temple Site. It is a brick pagoda stacked with bricks made from soil, presumed to be built around the 8th century, during the Unified Silla Period. It is called the Seven-Story Brick Pagoda at Beopheungsa Temple Site because it is presumed to be built in a temple called Beopheungsa. Seven-Story Brick Pagoda at Beopheungsa Temple Site is the tallest brick pagoda in Korea, measuring 17 meters high with a 7.75-meter-wide stylobate. The stylobate of the pagoda has a square-shaped single layer. Currently, six granite plates carved into the statue of Eight Devas and Four Heavenly Kings are placed on each surface, and a staircase is installed in the center of the south. Currently, the railroad next to the Seven-Story Brick Pagoda at Beopheungsa Temple Site has been relocated, and this brick pagoda will be repaired through the complete dismantlement method. Since it is planned to go through a total repair after the restoration project of Imcheonggak House is over by 2025, we will soon be able to meet the Seven-Story Brick Pagoda at Beopheungsa Temple Site that resembles its original shape.