Onyang Hyanggyo (Confucian School)

About this place

Onyang Hyanggyo was originally located in Beopgok-dong but was destroyed during the Japanese invasion of 1592 (Imjin War). In 1610, the 2nd year of King Gwanghaegun's reign, it was relocated to its current site. The overall layout follows the classic 'front study, rear shrine' (jeonhak humyo) arrangement, placing the educational space in front and the ritual space behind. At the entrance stand a hamagbi (stone marker requiring dismounting) and a hongsal gate. Passing through the outer gate, one finds the Myeongnyundang lecture hall and the Dongjae dormitory. Beyond the inner gate behind the Myeongnyundang stands the Daeseongjeon shrine. The Daeseongjeon, three bays wide and two bays deep, has a gable (maengbae) roof. The bracket system features the winglike ikgong style. The Myeongnyundang is five bays wide and two bays deep, with an elaborate hipped-and-gable (paljak) roof. After the Gabo Reform, the school's educational function ceased; today, rites are held in spring and autumn, with incense offerings on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month.