Gokseong Hyanggyo

Gokseong Hyanggyo was founded in the 3rd year of King Seonjo's reign (1570) to enshrine and honor the spirit tablets of Confucian sages, and to provide secondary education and moral edification for local residents. There are two hyanggyo in Gokseong: Gokseong Hyanggyo and Okgwa Hyanggyo. The building layout places the educational spaces—Myeongnyundang (lecture hall) and Dongjae·Seojae (east and west dormitories)—in the front, and the ritual space—Daeseongjeon (main shrine)—in the back, following the 'front school, rear shrine' (jeonhak-humyo) arrangement. Daeseongjeon, a gable-roofed building with 5 front bays and 3 side bays, enshrines the spirit tablets of the Five Sages, the Four Song Dynasty Masters, and the 18 Korean Sages. Myeongnyundang is a two-story gable-roofed building with 3 front bays and 3 side bays. The east and west dormitories each have 3 front bays and 2 side bays, with a gable roof; one side bay is a veranda, and a stele stands between them. During the Joseon Dynasty, the state provided land, slaves, and books, and instructors taught students, but today its educational function has ceased. Instead, it serves ritual functions, etiquette education, and the preservation of Gokseong's traditional culture. Seosansa Temple is located very close to Gokseong Hyanggyo, and Gokseong-gun Life Sports Park is about 350 meters away. Okgwa Hyanggyo is 21 km away, a 23-minute drive.