Why Two Large Pavilions Have Become Close to National Treasure Status...

'Samcheok Jukseoru' and 'Miryang Yeongnamru'
Local Governments First Request National Treasure Status "Confirmed Sufficient Value"

On the 27th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced the preliminary designation of 'Samcheok Jukseoru' and 'Miryang Yeongnamnu' as national treasures. Opinions from various sectors will be collected for a month, and the final decision on designation will be made after a review by the Cultural Heritage Committee. The background of the attention they received is somewhat special. The request was first made by local governments last year. The Cultural Heritage Administration confirmed their significant value through expert designation surveys and review by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

Samcheok Jukseoru is estimated to have been founded in the 12th century. This is based on the poetry of Kim Geuk-gi (1148?1209), who was active during the reign of Goryeo Myeongjong (1171?1197). The scenery of Jukseoru is depicted. It is also confirmed in the poems of An Chuk (1282?1348) and Jeong Chu (1333?1382). According to these, it was called 'Seoru (西樓)' and from the late 14th century, it was called 'Jukseoru (竹西樓)'. It is said to have been named because it was a pavilion located west of a temple called Jukjangsa to the east.

The related history is also found in Kim Su-on's (1410?1481) 'Jukseoru Dancheonggi (1472)' and Heo Mok's (1595?1682) 'Jukseoru Gi (1662)'. It is recorded that Governor Kim Hyo-son (1373?1429) rebuilt it anew on the old site in 1403. There are also records that it was founded during the Goryeo period, rebuilt in the early Joseon period, and underwent several repairs and expansions thereafter.

Currently, it remains in the form expanded during the late Joseon period. The structure features a hipped roof with a triangular hip on the side and a slope covered with tiles. In 1403, it was rebuilt with five bays in the front and two bays on the side; in 1503, one bay was added on the south side (three bays on the side), and in 1788, one bay was added on the north side (two bays on the side). The Cultural Heritage Administration evaluated that "the five central bays from the early Joseon period and the one bay expansions on the left and right from the mid-Joseon period clearly show architectural features of each period in terms of column arrangement, joinery, ceiling and floor treatment, bracket sets, and detailed ornamentation."

Jukseoru's unique scenic beauty has inspired numerous poems, lyrics, and paintings. Representative examples include Jeong Cheol's 'Gwandong Byeolgok' and Gyeomjae Jeong Seon’s (1676?1759) 'Gwandong Myeongseungjeop'. Kim Hong-do (1745??) and Kang Se-hwang (1713?1791) also paid close attention to the landscape harmonizing with the surrounding river, Osipcheon.

Miryang Yeongnamnu was not originally a large pavilion. It was built on a small scale at Yeongnamsa Temple, established during the Unified Silla period. At that time, it was called Geumbyeokru (金璧樓), Soru (小樓), or Jukru (竹樓). Yeongnamsa was abolished during the Goryeo period. The lone remaining pavilion was rebuilt in 1365, the 14th year of King Gongmin’s reign, by Miryang County Magistrate Kim Ju (1339?1404), and was named 'Yeongnamnu (嶺南樓)'.

In the early Joseon period, it was rebuilt by Miryang Magistrate An Jil (??1447), and a small pavilion (Soru) was established on the west side. This name was changed to Soru by Gyeongsang Province Governor Kwon Gi (???) in 1442, and later renamed Imgyeongdang (currently Chimryugak) by Magistrate Lee Chung-geol (1465?1527). During the reign of King Yeonsangun, Miryang Magistrate Kim Young-chu built Manghodang (currently Neungpagak), a guesthouse for visitors, on the northeast side of Yeongnamnu opposite Imgyeongdang. However, all auxiliary facilities were destroyed along with the guesthouse during the Japanese invasions of 1592?1598. Miryang Magistrate Lee In-jae led the reconstruction in 1844, expanding the main pavilion and building many auxiliary structures, mostly used as guesthouses for officials and local visitors.

Yeongnamnu is excellently arranged on a sloping site, demonstrating outstanding aesthetic form. It harmonizes well with the surrounding scenery, showcasing unique beauty. It is said that many notable figures left numerous poems here. During the Joseon Seonjo period, about 300 poems were hung at Yeongnamnu, but only twelve remain today. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "Like Jukseoru, Yeongnamnu has considerable architectural value as well as scenic beauty. The high academic value from poems left by distinguished visitors makes it fully worthy of designation as a national treasure."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.