Bunokjeong Pavilion, Pohang

About this place

Pohang Bunokjeong is a pavilion built in 1820 (the 20th year of King Sunjo) to honor the virtuous achievements of Donong Kim Gye-yeong (1660–1729). Bunokjeong has a T-shaped (丁) plan, arranging a 3-kan raised wooden-floor hall (numaru) across the front and 2 kan of heated ondol rooms set perpendicular at the rear. The general characteristic of a T-shaped pavilion is to place a large floor at the lower part of the 丁 and the rooms above, but Bunokjeong, taking into account the view of the mountain stream, placed the raised wooden-floor hall at the upper part of the 丁 and the rooms at the lower part; considering the hierarchy of the approach, the ondol rooms have a hip-and-gable roof and the raised hall a gable roof, while making the ridge and eaves heights equal—this refined plan and layout mindful of the surrounding scenery is an architectural feature unique to Bunokjeong and rarely seen in other pavilions. In front of Bunokjeong lie the Yonggyecheon valley and old great trees, and it stands at a scenic spot from which the surrounding mountains and streams can be overlooked. This locational character is well documented in past records where relevant content is confirmed—such as Kim No-gyeong's 'Hwasujeong' and 'Yonggyejeongsa,' Kim Jeong-hui's 'Bunokjeong' and 'Cheongnyuheon' plaques and tablets, as well as poem-boards left by various renowned figures and writings such as 'Hwasujeong-gi' and 'Donongjeong-gi'—so that records related to Bunokjeong are well preserved, which makes its academic value very outstanding. Bunokjeong has a clear date and purpose of construction, well-preserved related records including plaques and tablets left by literati such as Kim Jeong-hui, and not only are the mountain and water configurations of its surroundings excellent, but it also well expresses the aesthetic value of a pavilion in harmony with the traditional landscape. (Source: Korea Heritage Service)