Chungnyeol Seowon

Chungnyeol Seowon originated from Chungnyeolsa, a shrine established in 1576 (the 9th year of King Seonjo's reign) by local Confucian scholars to commemorate the scholarship, virtue, and loyal integrity of Jeong Mong-ju (1337–1392) and Jo Gwang-jo (1482–1520). Chungnyeolsa was first built in Jukjeon, an area between the tombs of Jeong Mong-ju and Jo Gwang-jo. After being destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin Waeran), it was relocated to Mohyeon-eup, where Jeong Mong-ju's tomb is located, and reconstruction began in 1605 (the 38th year of King Seonjo's reign) under the leadership of Gyeonggi Provincial Governor Jeong Gu and Yongin County Magistrate Jeong Jong-seon. In 1608, the shrine was completed with three bays for the shrine hall, two bays each for the east and west annexes, and a three-bay gate pavilion, with a lecture hall built above the gate pavilion. At this time, Jo Gwang-jo's spirit tablet was moved to the newly built Simgok Seowon. In 1608 (the year of King Gwanghaegun's enthronement), it was granted a royal plaque under the name Chungnyeol Seowon. Later, Jeong Mong-ju's grandson Jeong Bo and Yi Si-jik, a loyal subject during the Byeongja Horan (Manchu invasion), were additionally enshrined. In 1871 (the 8th year of King Gojong's reign), it was demolished under Heungseon Daewongun's order to abolish seowon (Confucian academies). The shrine was rebuilt in 1911, the lecture hall was restored in 1956, and the entire complex was supplemented and newly constructed in 1972, reaching its present state. In the center of the shrine hall, the spirit tablet and portrait of Jeong Mong-ju are enshrined, with the spirit tablets of Jeong Bo and Yi Si-jik placed on the left and right sides.

(Source: National Heritage Administration website)