Jangseong Pilamsaewon, Winter Visitors Continue to Arrive

Published 08 Dec.2021 10:34(KST)

[Jangseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Jo Hangyu] The winter scenery of the UNESCO World Heritage site ‘Jangseong Pilam Seowon’ continues to attract visitors.

According to Jangseong County on the 8th, Seowon was an educational institution during the Joseon Dynasty, functioning similarly to a private regional university today.

Along with Neo-Confucian education, it was also responsible for rituals honoring sages, and Pilam Seowon commemorates the Joseon Dynasty Confucian scholar Ha Seo Kim Inhu.

Ha Seo was the only person from Honam among the 18 scholars enshrined in the Munmyo Shrine. This is why Pilam Seowon is considered one of the representative Seowon in Honam.

When touring places such as ‘Cheongjeoldang,’ where classes were held, ‘Udongsa,’ where rituals were performed, ‘Gyeongjanggak,’ built to store the Mukjukdo painting, and ‘Jangpanggak,’ which houses woodblocks engraved with Ha Seo’s collected works, visitors often feel as if they have traveled back hundreds of years to the Joseon era.

The ‘Hwakyunru,’ where scholars took breaks from studying, is also impressive.

Mr. Kim from Gwangsan-gu, whom we met at Pilam Seowon, said, “I enjoy visiting because I can experience a world-class heritage site up close,” adding, “The long-preserved history and time of the Seowon come to me as a quiet inspiration.”

Jangseong Pilam Seowon was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019.

The following year, it was selected for a 10 billion KRW-scale Jeonnam-type regional growth project and is currently promoting initiatives to introduce Seonbi culture to the world.

Earlier this year, it also celebrated a major event.

The Mukjukdo woodblock, stolen in 2006, was recovered. Mukjukdo is a painting personally bestowed by King Injong to his teacher Ha Seo.

A county official said, “We are focusing on preserving the historical significance of Pilam Seowon and widely promoting its unique value,” adding, “Since we expect steady visits even in winter, we will make meticulous efforts to ensure visitors do not experience any inconvenience.”