Anseong Gaeksa Jeongcheong

A gaeksa (guesthouse) typically consists of a central jeongcheong (main hall) with a raised roof, flanked by a dongheon (east wing) and seoheon (west wing). The jeongcheong housed the jeonpae (tablet symbolizing the king), while the east and west wings served as lodgings for officials dispatched to local regions. During the Joseon Dynasty, rituals to pay respects to the king were held on New Year's Day, the king's birthday, and on every full moon and new moon. At the same time as the ceremony in the palace, all officials including the local magistrate and clerks gathered in the courtyard of the gaeksa jeongcheong and bowed toward the jeonpae. Royal decrees (gyoseo) were also proclaimed at the gaeksa jeongcheong. Thus, the gaeksa was the most important building in each locality and was located at its center. Anseong Gaeksa was built before 1363 (the 12th year of King Gongmin of Goryeo) and is the oldest surviving gaeksa building. From 1906, when national power weakened, gaeksa across the country were gradually abolished, and the buildings were used as schools. Anseong Gaeksa was used as a school building for Anseong Botong School (now Anseong Elementary School) from 1908. In 1931, it was moved to the current Myeongnyun Girls' Middle School, and in 1995, it was relocated to its present location for preservation. According to the Gyeonggiji, a gazetteer of Gyeonggi Province counties compiled around 1842, Anseong Gaeksa had a jeongcheong of 6 kan, dongheon of 12 kan, seoheon of 8 kan, a middle gate of 3 kan, an outer gate of 3 kan, a haengnang (corridor) of 4 kan, and Gyeongunjeong of 6 kan, but only the jeongcheong and the east and west ikheon (side halls) remain today. Anseong Gaeksa Jeongcheong is a rare example of late Goryeo to early Joseon jusimpo (column-head bracket set) architecture and holds an important place in architectural history. The bracket structure is similar to that of Sudeoksa Temple's Daeungjeon in Yesan, built in 1308. The judu (capital) has a support under its base, the salmi (individual bracket members projecting forward from the column head) and cheomcha (individual bracket members projecting sideways from the column head) are elaborately carved, and beams with a jar-shaped cross-section are used. A round carving is placed in the center between the salmi, a feature unique to Anseong Gaeksa Jeongcheong.

Address: 203 Jonghapundongjang-ro, Bogae-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do