Gokseong Hyanggyo

Gokseong Hyanggyo was founded in the 3rd year of King Seonjo's reign (1570) to enshrine and honor the spirit tablets of Confucian sages, and to provide secondary education and moral edification for local residents. There are two hyanggyo in Gokseong: Gokseong Hyanggyo and Okgwa Hyanggyo. The building layout follows the 'front school, rear shrine' style, with the educational space—Myeongnyundang and the east and west dormitories—in the front, and the ritual space—Daeseongjeon—in the back. Daeseongjeon, a gable-roofed building with 5 kan in front and 3 kan on the sides, enshrines the spirit tablets of the Five Sages, the Four Masters of the Song Dynasty, and the Eighteen Sages of Korea. Myeongnyundang is a two-story gable-roofed building with 3 kan in front and 3 kan on the sides. The east and west dormitories each have a gable roof with 3 kan in front and 2 kan on the sides, with one side kan serving as a veranda, and a stele stands between them. During the Joseon Dynasty, the state provided land, slaves, and books, and instructors taught students, but today the educational function has ceased. Instead, it performs ritual functions, etiquette education, and the role of preserving Gokseong's traditional culture. Seosansa Temple is located almost adjacent to Gokseong Hyanggyo, and Gokseong-gun Life Sports Park is about 350 meters away. Okgwa Hyanggyo is 21 km away, a 23-minute drive.