Sunheung Local Confucian School

A hyanggyo is an educational institution established by the state to hold memorial rites for Confucius and other sages, and to educate and morally guide the local populace. Sunheung Local Confucian School was first built in 1340, the 30th year of King Chungnyeol of Goryeo, but it was abolished along with the town itself following the movement to restore King Danjong to the throne. About 200 years later, in 1683, the ninth year of King Sukjong, it was rebuilt when Sunheung's status as a bu (administrative district) was restored. The school was subsequently moved several times before being relocated to its present site in 1790, the 14th year of King Jeongjo, where it remains today. The buildings that survive today are the Daeseongjeon, the shrine hall used for memorial rites; the Dongmu and Seomu, the east and west shrine buildings; the Myeongnyundang, the lecture hall where education took place; the Dongjae, a dormitory for students; and the Sammun, the main gate. The overall layout follows the "hall in front, shrine behind" arrangement, placing the Myeongnyundang, the educational space, in front and the Daeseongjeon, the ceremonial space, behind it. The Daeseongjeon enshrines the spirit tablets of Confucius, his disciples, and sages of Korea. During the Joseon period the school received land, enslaved people and books from the state to support the teaching of its students, but today its educational function has ceased and only its ceremonial function remains.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료