Gyeongsan Hyanggyo

About this place

A hyanggyo is a public educational institution established by the state to hold rites for Confucius and various sages and to educate and edify local people. Gyeongsan Hyanggyo was first built in Okgok-dong in the 2nd year of King Gongmin of Goryeo (1390); after it burned down during the Japanese invasions of 1592, it was rebuilt several times, and in the 7th year of King Sukjong of Joseon (1681) it was relocated by way of Singyo-dong to its present site. It is said that when the spirit tablets kept at the hyanggyo were in danger during the Japanese invasions, Gang Gae-myeong, a servant of the hyanggyo, moved them to a cave on Mount Seongam and thus kept them safe. It follows the shrine-front, school-rear layout, with Daeseongjeon, the ritual hall, placed at the front and Myeongnyundang, the lecture hall, at the rear. During the Joseon period the state provided land, servants, and books to teach students, but today its educational function has ceased and only its ritual function remains.