Gwangju Local Confucian School

When King Taejo of Joseon took the throne in 1392, he ordered the inspectors of each province to reform education, and it was on this occasion that Gwangju Hyanggyo was founded at the foot of Jangwonbong Peak on the west side of what was then called Seoseoksan Mountain, now Mudeungsan Mountain. Because tigers frequently appeared there, it was moved inside the East Gate of the town wall. However, in 1488, the nineteenth year of King Seongjong, the county magistrate Gwon Su-pyeong moved it again to its present site, since that location too proved low-lying and prone to flood damage. It was later burned down by Japanese invaders during the Jeongyu War in 1597, the thirtieth year of King Seonjo, and was rebuilt in 1600, the thirty-third year of King Seonjo, through the joint effort of officials and the people; it has since undergone several repairs down to the present day. The school today is centred on the Daeseongjeon, the Dongmu and Seomu (east and west shrine halls), the Myeongnyundang, the Dongjae and Seojae (east and west dormitories), and the inner and outer three-bay gates, along with other buildings such as the Munhoejae, Yangsajae, Yu Rim Hoegwan (a hall for Confucian scholars) and Chunghyo Gyoyukgwan (an education hall for loyalty and filial piety). Confucius is enshrined together with Yan Hui, Zengzi, Zisi and Mencius, the Five Sages, along with the Two Worthies of Song China and the Eighteen Worthies of Korea, twenty-five sages and worthies in all, to whom rites (seokjeon) are offered every spring and autumn.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Nam-gu, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산