Deokgang Seowon

This is a seowon (Confucian academy) dedicated to honoring Yang Hyo-ji, the first settler of the Cheongju Yang clan in Yeongcheon. Deokgang Seowon was founded in 1621 (the 13th year of King Gwanghaegun's reign) by the consensus of local Confucian scholars. It was demolished in 1871 (the 8th year of King Gojong's reign) due to the Daewongun's decree abolishing seowon, but was later restored in 1922 when later scholars and Confucianists built the shrine Gyeongjeolsa and reestablished Deokgang Seowon. In 1998, descendants undertook a renovation. The complex includes an outer gate (Oesammun), East and West study halls (Dongjae and Seojae), a lecture hall (Gangdang), and a shrine (Sadan). The layout follows the 'front study, rear shrine' arrangement, with the shrine located behind the lecture hall. Gyeongjeolsa, the shrine, is a 3-kan front, 1-kan side building with a double-eave gable roof (Matbaejip). The lecture hall is a 4-kan front, 2-kan side building with a single-eave hip-and-gable roof (Palgakjip), featuring a wooden floor in the central two bays and rooms on either side. The East and West study halls are each located in front of the lecture hall, with 3-kan front, 1-kan side gable-roofed buildings. Address: 933-16, Sinhwa-ro, Hwasan-myeon, Yeongcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do