Hamyeol Hyanggyo (Confucian School)

About this place

Hamyeol Hyanggyo has enshrined the memorial tablets of distinguished scholars since 1437 (19th year of King Sejong), holding ceremonies on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month and serving the education and moral cultivation of local residents. Surviving buildings include the Daeseokjeon, Yeongsojeong, Myeongyundang, Dongje, Seoje, Nansimjae, and Gyojiksa. Unlike most hyanggyo, Hamyeol Hyanggyo has a dedicated hall called Yeongsojeong, which separately enshrines a portrait of Confucius. This portrait was brought back from China in 1626 (4th year of King Injo) by Nam Gung-gyeong, a native of Hamyeol who served as an envoy to the Ming dynasty. In 1717 (43rd year of King Sukjong), the Royal Chief Steward Kim Chang-jip petitioned the king after hearing about the portrait from local Confucian scholars, and King Sukjong granted permission to build the special portrait hall beside the Daeseokjeon.