Yeongdeok Hyanggyo

About this place

Yeongdeok Hyanggyo (Confucian school) was established in the Goryeo period. At the time of its founding, it consisted of Daeseongjeon Hall, the East and West Musa, a corridor building, and walls. During the reign of King Seonjo of Joseon, the pavilion Taehwaru was built, and in 1706 (45th year of King Sukjong), Gyeonggak, Jeonsacheong, the kitchen, Byeolgo, Haincheong, and others were built. Today, Daeseongjeon Hall, Myeongnyundang, Taehwaru, the East Study, the West Study, and the caretaker's house remain. According to the 'Yeongyeong Seungnam,' until the buildings were destroyed by the war of 1950, there stood Daeseongjeon Hall, Myeongnyundang, Yanghoru, the East Study room, Jeonsacheong, Haincheong, Jusa, and others. The seating arrangements and rites of Yeongdeok Hyanggyo are largely similar to those of Yeonghae Hyanggyo. Yeongdeok-gun and Yeongdeok Hyanggyo have organized a support project for traditional weddings that adds a modern touch to our old family rites, and receive applications throughout the year from residents of the county or from natives living away, on whose behalf they conduct traditional weddings. The traditional wedding is held in the Myeongnyundang of Yeongdeok Hyanggyo, conducted by the officers of the hyanggyo; it proceeds in order through preparation of the ceremonial table and riding of the palanquin, lighting of the wedding hall, and then the jeonallye, gyobaerye, and hapgeullye, taking about an hour. To enliven the feast and ensure a meaningful wedding, a pungmul (folk-percussion) performance that resounds through the wedding hall is added in high spirits. In particular, not only the wedding venue but also all the props—the bride's and groom's ceremonial attire, the ceremonial table setting, the flower palanquin, and so on—are provided free of charge, allowing for a special wedding where tradition and modernity blend.