Bonghwa Hyanggyo

About this place

Bonghwa Hyanggyo, located in Bongseong-myeon, Bonghwa-gun, was first built during the reign of King Sejong of Joseon and rebuilt in 1579. It was repaired several times thereafter, and in 1950 it was used as a school before being closed. It was badly damaged at that time and was repaired in 1975 by county magistrate Gwon Myeong-heum. Passing through the main gate, a four-pillar gate (sajumun), there is a pavilion that serves as a resting space. Behind it stands Myeongnyundang, where the Confucian students studied, and on either side the eastern and western dormitories, the students' living quarters, face each other. To the rear-left of Myeongnyundang are the inner three-bay gate (naesammun) and, within it, the shrine Daeseongjeon. Daeseongjeon, measuring three kan at the front and three kan at the side, enshrines the disciples of Confucius and various sages of the Joseon period. Overall it follows the 'study in front, shrine behind' (jeonhak-humyo) layout, with the place of study at the front and the place of ritual at the rear.