Sosu Seowon Confucian Academy, Yeongju

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.55

Category

Architecture

Era

조선 중종 38년(1543)

Designated year

1963

Location

영주시, 경상북도— 경북 영주시 순흥면 내죽리 151번지

Coordinates

36.925306, 128.580563

It is the first local private school whose name was bestowed by the throne. This Seowon, or Confucian academy, was first established as a memorial to An Hyang (1243-1306), a great Confucian scholar during the latter years of Goryeo (918-1392), by a local county chief, Ju Sebung, in 1541, the 36th year of the reign of King Jungjong (1506-44). It was called Baegundongseowon in 1543, the 38th year of the reign of King Jungjong, while it was used as a place for teaching students of Confucianism. King Myeongjong renamed the Sosuseowon in 1550 when Korea's greatest philosopher-scholar, Yi Hwang, better known as Toegye, was the county chief of this area. Thus, it became the first Seowon authorized by the Court and the first publicly accredited private educational institute. In 1544, the memorial tablets of scholars An Chuk (1287-1348) and An Bo (1302-1357) were enshrined; in 1633, the 11th year of the reign of King Injo (1623-49), the memorial tablet of founder Ju Sebung was enshrined here. This Seowon is thought to be an early form of Seowon according to the allocation of buildings and was somewhat freely located. Major facilities include the shrine, a lecture hall called Myeongnyundang, two dormitories, several study halls, and the archives. The shrine is located northwest of Myeongnyundang. The flagpole support and base just outside the main indicate that this place was originally the site of a temple called Suksusa. Sosuseowon is the first local private school whose name was bestowed by the throne and one of the forty-seven seowons remaining after the Seowon destruction ordered by King Daewongun of the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Here, an ancestral sacrifice is performed every spring and fall.

Location