Wentai Pagoda
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| Wentai Pagoda | |
|---|---|
文臺寶塔 | |
.jpg) | |
| Location | |
| Location | Jincheng, Kinmen, Taiwan |
  Taiwan | |
| Coordinates | 24°25′00.1″N 118°18′59.9″E / 24.416694°N 118.316639°E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Marquess Chianghsia Chou Te-hsing |
| Type | pagoda |
| Completed | 1387 |
The Wentai Pagoda (traditional Chinese: 文臺寶塔; simplified Chinese: 文台宝塔; pinyin: Wéntái Bǎotǎ; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Bûn-tâi Pó-thah) is a pagoda in Gucheng Village, Jincheng Township, Kinmen County, Taiwan.[1] The pagoda is a tower of feng shui erected for worshiping star and its incarnation.
The pagoda was built in 1387 during the 20th year of Hongwu Emperor of Ming Dynasty by Marquess Chianghsia Chou Te-hsing.[2][3] It was built to serve as navigational marker for ships negotiating the treacherous waters near Kinmen and also for defense of Kinmen from the Japanese pirates. The tower is classified as second grade national historic relic.[4] The tower was damaged during an earthquake in 1918 and also in 1961 due to war.[5]
Architecture
The pagoda is a five-level hexagon granite building.[6] Its peak features carvings and relief works and the stone on its base exhibits Chinese calligraphy written by Ming scholar Chen Hui and contemporary artist Chang Ta-chien.
