Gyo-dong Local Confucian School

A hyanggyo is a local Confucian school established by the state to enshrine the tablets of Confucian sages, hold rites in their honour, and educate the local populace. This school was built north of Mount Hwagaesan in the fifth year of King Injong of Goryeo (1127), then relocated to its present site by Jo Ho-sin in the seventeenth year of King Yeongjo of Joseon (1741), and repaired in 1966. It is said that in the twelfth year of King Chungnyeol of Goryeo (1286), An Hyang, on his way back from the Yuan dynasty, brought an image of Confucius and enshrined it here, after which Munmyo shrines housing the tablets of forebears and sages were established in the towns of Seoul. The buildings that survive today comprise Myeongnyundang, the lecture hall, together with its east and west dormitories, forming the education space, and Daeseongjeon, the main shrine hall, together with the Dongmu and Seomu, the east and west annex shrines, forming the ritual space. There are also the inner and outer three-bay gates and a storehouse for ritual vessels. During the Joseon dynasty the school received land, slaves and books from the state and used them to teach its students, but after the Gabo Reform of 1894 it lost its educational function and now retains only its role in performing Confucian rites.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Ganghwa, Incheon

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산