Myeongtan Seowon

Established in 1490 (the 21st year of King Seongjong) by local Confucian scholars to commemorate the loyalty and virtue of Yi Myeong-seong and Yi Myeong-deok, it was originally founded in Geumnam-myeon, Yeongi-gun, where their memorial tablets were enshrined. Upon its founding, it was granted the name 'Myeongtan (鳴灘)' by royal decree, serving both as a shrine for former sages and a center for local education. It was destroyed during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War) and later relocated to its current site and restored in 1731 (the 7th year of King Yeongjo). Subsequently, it was demolished in 1871 (the 8th year of King Gojong) under the Seowon abolition policy of Regent Heungseon Daewongun, and was restored by descendants in 1955 after Korea's liberation. The complex includes a three-kan shrine, an eight-kan combined ritual house and lecture hall, a six-kan guardian house, and a main gate with a central spirit gate (sinmun) and side gates. The shrine enshrines the memorial tablets of Yi Myeong-seong and Yi Myeong-deok. The combined ritual house and lecture hall serves as a meeting place for Confucian scholars and accommodation for ritual officials during ceremonies, while the guardian house is used for storing ritual utensils and as lodging for the caretaker. Ritual ceremonies are held annually on March 5th and September 5th, with offerings consisting of seven bamboo baskets (byeon) and seven wooden vessels (du). The property includes approximately 1,800 pyeong of rice paddies and 1,300 pyeong of land.<br>Address: 48, Myeongtanseowon-gil, Wolsong-dong, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do