Munmyo Confucian Shrine and Seonggyungwan National Academy, Seoul

Munmyo is a shrine where ancestral tablets of Confucius, who systematised Confucianism, and various sages are enshrined and rites are performed. Munmyo is broadly divided into two areas: Daeseongjeon, where the buildings used for rites stand, and Myeongnyundang, where the buildings used for scholarly study stand. It was first built in the seventh year of King Taejo of Joseon (1398), but burned down in the second year of King Jeongjong (1400). It was rebuilt in the seventh year of King Taejong (1407), but this too was destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasions of 1592–98. The buildings standing today were rebuilt after the invasions. Daeseongjeon and Myeongnyundang are separated from north to south by a wall. To the north of the western hall of Daeseongjeon (a treasure) stand a repository for the implements used in rites and a storehouse for miscellaneous items. Around Myeongnyundang stand Jon-gyeonggak, Hyanggwancheong, Bicheondang and Gyeseongsa, while to the south, on either side, Dongjae and Seojae — the long dormitories where Confucian students lived and studied — run in a north–south direction. To the east of Dongjae stands a dining hall, above which are arranged a storehouse, Yugilgak, and a further storehouse for miscellaneous items. Munmyo is not only a space for ancestral rites but also served as the centre of Confucian learning where students of the Joseon period studied; it is an important resource for the study of architectural history and a place steeped in tradition and history.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jongno-gu, Seoul

Designation

Historic Site · 사적