Geochang Bangguheon

Bangguheon is the house where Mr. Jeong Gi-pil, also known as Yaong, who served as the magistrate of Yeongyang during the reigns of King Heonjong and King Cheoljong of the Joseon Dynasty, resided. Mr. Yaong was renowned for his integrity and virtuous conduct while serving as a local magistrate. After resigning from his official post and returning to his hometown, he had no property or residence, so it is said that Bangguheon was built with the help of the magistrate of Anui at the time. The name Bangguheon means to look back and reflect on oneself. Bangguheon retains only the gate quarters and the sarangchae (men's quarters). Based on the ridge beam inscription remaining in the sarangchae, it is estimated to have been rebuilt in 1870. The sarangchae, called Bangguheon, is a relatively large building with a hipped-and-gable roof, measuring 5 kan (bays) in the front and 5 kan on the sides. The most distinctive feature of this building is that the wooden-floored hall (daecheong) is 1 kan and not located in the center, while there are 3 kan rooms. It has a raised wooden veranda (numaru) with railings on one side. Therefore, a furnace was installed in the center of the rear side of the building to heat two rooms from one location, forming the floor plan. Although the structure is simple and plain, it is an important building that overall exudes the dignity of a noble family (sadaebu).