Gyeonghyeon Seowon

Gyeonghyeon Seowon is the largest seowon (Confucian academy) in Naju and enshrines many figures representing Joseon Confucianism. It was the first seowon in Naju to receive a royal charter (saek). This site is an important relic showing the cause and development of the Eulmi Oksa (Eulmi Incident) in the Naju area during the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1583 (the 16th year of King Seonjo's reign), local Confucian scholars built a shrine at the foot of Geumseongsan Mountain to commemorate the scholarship and virtue of Kim Gwang-pil, enshrining his spirit tablet. In 1589 (the 22nd year of King Seonjo's reign), four additional scholars—Jeong Yeo-chang, Jo Gwang-jo, Yi Eon-jeok, and Yi Hwang—were enshrined together, making it Oheon Seowon (Academy of Five Worthies). It was destroyed during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War) but was rebuilt through the joint efforts of Mok Jang-heum and local Confucian scholars. The following year, in 1609 (the 1st year of King Gwanghaegun's reign), it was granted the royal charter name 'Gyeonghyeon' following a petition by Kim Seon and others. In 1693 (the 19th year of King Sukjong's reign), Gi Dae-seung and Kim Seong-il were additionally enshrined, bringing the total to seven spirit tablets. It served the functions of enshrining former sages and local education, but was demolished in 1868 (the 5th year of King Gojong's reign) under the seowon abolition decree of Regent Heungseon Daewongun. In 1977, Confucian scholars of Jeollanam-do restored it at this location. The buildings on the grounds include a three-kan shrine (sau), a spirit gate (sinmun), east and west side gates, a four-kan lecture hall (gangdang), an outer triple gate (oesammun), and a four-kan storehouse (gosa).