Gapyeong Hyanggyo

Established in 1398 (the 7th year of King Taejo of Joseon), it was Gapyeong's first educational institution and served as a Confucian shrine (Munmyo) for enshrining and performing ancestral rites to sages. During the Manchu invasion of 1636, part of the Daeseongjeon (main shrine) was damaged, and it was rebuilt around 1870, but the Daeseongjeon was again destroyed during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1980, the Daeseongjeon and Naesammun (inner three gates) were repaired, and a new residence hall was built. In 1985, the old Myeongnyundang (lecture hall) was demolished and rebuilt. Although the existing buildings are modern reconstructions, they preserve the original form of a traditional hyanggyo (Confucian school). It is located within Gapyeong Elementary School, in front of the parking lot to the left of the gymnasium. While the interior is not accessible, the walls are low, allowing visitors to view the buildings inside. Existing structures include the Daeseongjeon, Myeongnyundang, Dongjae (east dormitory), Seojae (west dormitory), Naesammun, Jegigo (ritual utensil storage), and other auxiliary buildings. The Myeongnyundang was used to teach Confucianism to students, and the Daeseongjeon enshrines the spirit tablets of the Five Sages, Two Sages of the Song Dynasty, and Eighteen Sages of Korea. During the Joseon Dynasty, the state provided fields, land, and books, and instructors taught students. Today, the educational function has ceased, but spring and autumn Seokjeon (Confucian rituals) are held, and one Jeon-gyo (headmaster) and several Jang-ui (administrators) manage the operations. This hyanggyo hosts cultural events such as Chinese character classes, filial piety and loyalty classes, and coming-of-age ceremony rituals in Gapyeong County.