Munmyo Confucian Shrine and Seonggyungwan National Academy, Seoul

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.143

Category

Architecture

Era

조선 태조 7년(1399)

Designated year

1964

Location

종로구, 서울특별시— 서울 종로구 명륜3가 53번지

Coordinates

37.585683, 126.995808

Munmyo was a shrine that preserved Confucius, the founder of Confucianism. Munmyo was divided into two: Daeseongjeon Shrine for the memorial services and Myeongnyundang Lecture Hall for study. It was first built in the 7th year of the reign of King Taejo (1398) of Joseon but was burnt down in the 2nd year of the reign of King Jeongjong (1400). It was restored in the 7th year of the reign of King Taejong, only to be burnt down again during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. The present building was rebuilt after the Japanese Invasion. Daeseongjeon and Myeongnyundang were separated into south and north by the wall in the middle. On the north of Daeseongjeon Seou (Treasure No.141) were a storage where various tools for memorial services were placed and another storage where various items were kept. Around Myeongnyundang, the Jongyeonggak, Hyanggwancheong, Bicheondang halls and Gyeseongsa Shrine were placed, with Dongjae and Seojae -- where scalars stayed and read books -- placed from north to south. On the eastern part of Dongjae was a restaurant, with the storehouse, Yugilgak (repository for bows and arrows), and storage room for various items next to it. Munmyo, where memorial services were performed and Confucian scholars gathered and studied as the center of Confucianism, serves as an important material for studying the architectural history.

Location