Suondang Hall Historic House, Bonghwa

The main residence (jeongchim) was built in 1653 by Tongdeokrang Byeon Su (1631–1698), the fourth-generation descendant of Byeon Yeong-sun (pen name Manchwidang, b. 1523), who had settled in Geochon-ri, Bonghwa-eup, since the reign of King Injong (1545). It was repaired in 1854, and later, in 1984, rebuilt by Sin Eung-su, a Daemokjang (master carpenter). The shrine was built in 1653 by Byeon Yu-beon (1605–1671), the third-generation descendant of Manchwidang, in order to cultivate and carry on the spirit of ancestor veneration; although it underwent partial repair around 1930, it largely retains its original form. The pavilion, Suondang, was built in 1713 by Byeon Sang-hun, known by his pen name Suondang (1678–1737), the sixth-generation descendant of Manchwidang, as a building combining the functions of a village school and a pavilion for educating and training younger students, and it was repaired once, in 1898. This house is a large residence in which the buildings serving as village school and pavilion (Suondang) stand within a single enclosure, and it retains relatively well the character and dignity of an upper-class residence of the northern part of North Gyeongsang Province. The shrine was built in the late seventeenth century, when family shrines were spreading nationwide, and stands out for its carefully crafted structure, which combines distinctive decorative features such as its foundation stones with techniques predating its own construction period, all suited to its purpose. Suondang likewise retains old-style elements following earlier conventions, and its repair in the late nineteenth century came at a time when the function of scholarly instruction was being lost not only at hyanggyo (state Confucian schools) but even at seowon (private academies), so that building a study-hall facility within a private house reflects the circumstances of that era. The main quarters and gate quarters, rebuilt in the late twentieth century by the Daemokjang Sin Eung-su, are of recent date but largely preserve their old appearance. Suondang is a notable residence for tracing regional character and architectural chronology, and the shrine in particular is of great value as a building retaining many rare original features.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Bonghwa, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료