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Gwangju Hyanggyo (Gwangju)

Korea (South) / Kwangju / Gwangju / Gu-dong, 22-3

Gwangju Hyanggyo (a 'hyanggyo' is a state-sponsored academy where students studied Confucianism and prepared for the civil service examinations during the Goryeo Dynasty ,918-1392, and Joseon Dynasty, 1392 - 1910) located originally located under Jangwonbong (peak) at the base of Mudeung Mountain in 1398. It was relocated to Dongmyeong-dong (present location) because of a tiger's attack and then damaged by a flood in 1488, was burned by the Japanese army during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1597, and rebuilt in 1600. Another major fire occurred in 1910 and was again rebuilt.

The layout of the hyanggyo is typical of sites built on hillsides. The upper courtyard consists of a central shrine (Daeseongjeon) with two smaller shrines facing each other. The central shrine contains memorial tablets to Confucius, Chinese Confucian scholars, and various Korean scholars. The east and west shrines (Dongjae and Seojae) enshrine various local scholars. The courtyard below the shrines is flanked by student dormitories on the east and west and a lecture hall (Myeongryundang) on the south side. To the west of the lecture hall and dormitories are several subsidiary buildings built in later years.

Today the Gwangju Hyanggyo Confucian School provides cultural programs and holds lectures on the Chinese characters that embody Confucian ideals, like loyalty and filial piety.

The school continues to hold memorial ceremonies for Confucius twice a year every February and August of the lunar calendar.

The Gwangju Hyanggyo is Gwangju City Tangible Cultural Properties #9.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   35°8'45"N   126°54'32"E
This article was last modified 10 years ago