Namwon Hyanggyo

About this place

Namwon Hyanggyo is believed to have been founded in 1410 (the 10th year of King Taejong) following a nationwide edict to establish hyanggyo, although a document written by Yi Saek (1328-1396) shows that one existed in Namwon as early as 1359, during the late Goryeo period. After being founded in 1410 on the slopes of Daegoksan, west of Namwon-bu, it was moved in 1428 to below Deokeum Bong peak, and again in 1443 to its current location. It burned down during the Jeongyu War (1597-1598) and the Myeongnyundang was rebuilt in 1609, but destroyed again by fire and rebuilt in 1876. The Daeseongjeon was rebuilt in 1894, and in 1935, the Hwanwollu — the gate tower of the Namwon magistrate's office — was relocated to the hyanggyo and renamed Jingang-ru. Namwon Hyanggyo displays a typical jeonhak humyo (forward learning, rear worship) layout with the Daeseongjeon to the north and Myeongnyundang to the south. The Jingang-ru is architecturally connected to the Myeongnyundang and serves as the main entrance to the entire hyanggyo. Additional structures include the outer gate, inner gate, Samajae, lecture hall, Yeokucheong, Suindang, and ritual preparation room. Namwon Hyanggyo is considered to be one of the largest and most prestigious hyanggyo in Jeolla Province, alongside those at Jeonju and Naju, with distinctive architecture and high historical and scholarly value.