Wandamseowon

About this place

In 1568 (the 1st year of King Seonjo), to honor Jeong Gwi-ryeong, known as Samsu, and his two sons Jeong Ong and Jeong Sa, a shrine called Samsusa was built beside Samsujeong in Pungyang-myeon, and rites were offered there. Later, during the Japanese invasions (Imjin War), the shrine was destroyed. After the war ended, in 1606 (the 39th year of King Seonjo), Confucian scholars and descendants rebuilt it as Wandam-hyangsa at Wandam in Masan-ri, Jibo-myeon, Yecheon-gun, where Samsu's grave is located, and erected the shrine Sangdeoksa, additionally enshrining Jeong Hwan and Jeong Gwang-pil, so that five spirit tablets were venerated. Then, 97 years later, in 1764 (the 40th year of King Yeongjo), two more men, Jeong Yeong-hu and Jeong Yeong-bang, came to be additionally enshrined. In 1868 (the 5th year of King Gojong) it was demolished under the decree abolishing the academies, but in 1998 the Confucian scholars and descendants pooled their efforts and restored Wandam-hyangsa once again, and it became Wandamseowon. Today, below Samsujeong stands a monument to the four generations and seven worthies. Samsujeong is a pavilion that Samsu Jeong Gwi-ryeong built in 1425 (the 7th year of King Sejong); it is located on a hill overlooking the Nakdong River, and beside it stands a 600-year-old Chinese scholar tree, which has long symbolized scholars and officials.