Geumho Seowon

About this place

Geumho Seowon is a Confucian academy built to honor General Yi Un-ryong (pen name Donggye) and Baek Sin (pen name Hyangsan). Yi Un-ryong (1562–1610) passed the military examination in the 18th year of King Seonjo (1585) and, having rendered great service during the Japanese Invasions of 1592 (Imjin War), rose to become Naval Commander of the Right Gyeongsang Province and concurrently Commander of the Naval Forces of the Three Provinces. This academy originated when Sangchungsa Shrine was built in Onmak-ri, Maejeon-myeon, Yi Un-ryong's birthplace. In the 14th year of King Sunjo (1814) it was moved to Geumchon-ri, Iseo-myeon, but in the 5th year of King Gojong (1848) it was demolished under the Regent Heungseon Daewongun's order to abolish the seowon academies; the remaining lecture hall was relocated to its present site and renamed Hyochungsa. Later, in 1947, the academy was rebuilt and remains to this day. As for the layout, upon entering Sideokmun, the outer three-bay gate, one finds the lecture hall and the eastern and western dormitories; behind the lecture hall stands the inner three-bay gate, and beyond it lies Hyeonchungsa Shrine.