Stone Ice Storage, Andong

A seokbinggo is a storehouse built of stone to store ice. This Stone Ice Storage was built in 1737, the thirteenth year of King Yeongjo of Joseon, specifically to preserve sweetfish, caught in abundance from the Nakdonggang River, for presentation to the king. It lies lengthwise north to south on a broad stretch of ground on the bank of the Nakdonggang River, which flows east to west at this point, facing the line of the river, with its entrance unusually set to the side on the north face. Inside, steps lead down to a sloping floor, and at the centre there is a drainage channel that carries water away into the river. The ceiling is supported by four rainbow-shaped stone arches (hongye) built up from long, finely dressed stones, with the space between each arch filled and finished with long stones laid horizontally. Ventilation holes are set at intervals in the ceiling and connect through to the outside, regulating the temperature within. Overall the storage is not large in scale, but it is well preserved. Its location is particularly significant: when the construction of Andong Dam threatened to submerge it, it was moved to ground higher than its original site. Previously a river flowed right alongside it, which would have made transporting ice very easy.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Andong, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물