Pihyangjeong Pavilion, Jeongeup

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.289

Category

Architecture

Era

조선시대 중기

Designated year

1963

Location

정읍시, 전북특별자치도— 전북 정읍시 태인면 태창리 102-2번지

Coordinates

35.651348, 126.942970

In harmony with the surrounding nature and designed to serve as a resting place, the Pihyangjeong Pavilion is regarded as the most beautiful pavilion in Jeolla-do. It is believed to have been built by a person named Choe Chi-won during the reign of King Heonan of the Unified Silla Dynasty who ruled between 857 and 860, but the exact year of construction is not known. However, records show that it was rebuilt by a County Headman named Yi Ji-gwoeng during the years of King Gwanghaegun of Joseon and expanded by another County Headman named Bak Sung-go during the reign of King Hyeonjong. Years later, their successor Yu Geun further expanded and rebuilt the pavilion to the current size in 1716 (the 42nd year of King Sukjong’s reign). The pavilion has been through a number of minor repairs since then, including a new paint job in 1974. The structure measures five kan (a unit of measurement referring to the distance between two columns) by four kan under a hip and gable roof. It is a simple winged style of building with gongpo (pieces of wood inserted between the rafter and column) on the top of the supporters to support the weight of the roof. There are no walls to hinder the view, and the floor is surrounded by a wooden handrail that’s supported by short carved columns. The ceiling reveals the rafters since it’s mostly not covered, with the exception of some cover panels. Another unique feature of this pavilion is that there is a hanging board with a record of poems left by poets and scholars who have visited this pavilion. As one of representative pavilions of the Joseon Dynasty that shows well the architectural style of the middle Joseon Dynasty, this pavilion serves both as an important cultural property and material for studying the architectural history of Joseon.

Location