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Byeongsan Seowon
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Originally, the predecessor of this academy was Pungak Seodang, located in Pungsan County, which served as an educational institution for scholars since the Goryeo period. In 1572 (5th year of King Seonjo), Seoae Yu Seong-ryong relocated it to its current location in Byeongsan. When Seoae passed away in 1607, local scholars such as Jeong Gyeong-se commemorated his teachings and virtues by establishing the Jondeoksa Shrine in 1613 (5th year of King Gwanghae) and enshrining his tablet, officially renaming it Byeongsan Seowon in 1614.
Following the consensus of local scholars in 1620 (12th year of King Gwanghae), the tablet was moved to Yeogang Seowon to honor Toegye, and in 1629 (9th year of King Injo), a separate tablet was prepared and placed in Jondeoksa Shrine, along with an additional tablet for Ryu Jin, his third son. In 1863 (14th year of King Cheoljong), it was officially designated as a seowon. Responsible for ancestral rites and regional education, it produced many scholars and even withstood the closure order issued by Daewongun in 1868 (5th year of King Gojong). Extensive renovations were carried out during the Japanese colonial period, with the lecture hall rebuilt in 1921 and the shrine in 1937. Annual ancestral rites are held in March and September. Designated as a cultural asset, it houses over 1,000 different documents and 3,000 books, including the writings of Master Seoae.
• Address (location): 386 Byeongsan-gil, Pungcheon-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Bunkang Seowon
Bunkang Seowon was established in 1613 (5th year of King Gwanghae’s reign) to honor the scholarship and virtues of Master Lee Hyeon-bo, a local Confucian scholar. Originally founded as a shrine named Hyanghyeonsa, it was later transformed into a Confucian academy in 1700 (26th year of King Sukjong’s reign), responsible for fostering scholarly and educational activities in the region. Unfortunately, it was dismantled in 1868 (5th year of King Gojong’s reign) due to an order from Daewongun, but was reconstructed in 1967 at its original site to enshrine the spirit tablets and perform ancestral rites. In 1976, it was relocated to its present location near Dogokjaesa in the wake of the Andong Dam construction, and then moved once again in 2006 as part of the Nongam archaeological site renovation project. Bunkang Seowon consists of the Sookdeoksa shrine, the Heunggyodang lecture hall, the Seongjeongjae study hall, the Geukbokjae study hall, the Gyeongseojae study hall, and the administrative office. Today, Bunkang Seowon holds an annual ancestral ritual and is open for use by students and academic organizations.
• Address (location): 168 Gasong-gil, Dosan-myeon, Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do
San Soo Jeong
San Soo Jeong is a pavilion built by the scholar Hobong Lee Don (1568-1624) when he returned to his hometown to focus on academic research and educating his successors after leaving his official position. Although the exact date of construction is unknown, it is estimated to have been built around 1610. The building consists of a front section with 3 bays and a side section with 2 bays. The front of the building features low steps with natural stone foundations, supporting slender columns with railings in between, enhancing the elegance of the pavilion architecture. The layout includes a main hall in the center connected to a 3-bay front veranda and a well-side veranda. The front veranda widens the side bays, adding plank walls and outer sliding doors on the sides, along with double-leaf plank doors at the rear, allowing for airflow regulation.
• Address (location): 70-31 Maae-gil, Pungsan-eup, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
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Samgyejeong
Samgyejeong is a pavilion built in 1496 (2nd year of Yeonsan-gun) by the scholar Kim Young-soo and his brothers for their mother, Lady Kwon, during the Joseon Dynasty. The village where this pavilion is located, Sosan Village, is the ancestral home of the Andong Kim family, and Kim Young-soo is the grandson of Kim Sam-geun, who first arrived in this village. The name ‘Samgyejeong’ comes from the three rocks on the left side of the pavilion, which are believed to be ancient tombstones shaped like turtles. Turtles traditionally symbolize longevity. From the name of the pavilion, you can glimpse the sons’ wishes for their mother to live a long and healthy life. The current pavilion building was reconstructed in 1947, with open sides allowing a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery, including the village. The plaque inside the pavilion was written by Yi Jong-jun, a scholar and native of Andong.
• Address (location): 1975-1 Jipung-ro, Pungsan-eup, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Andong Samsanjeong
This is Jeongja, a traditional house built in the 26th year of King Yeongjo’s reign in the Joseon Dynasty (1750), by Yu Jeongwon (1702-1761) for studying and teaching his disciples. Today, it is used by his descendants to honor his virtues and educate future generations. Yu Jeongwon was a prominent scholar during King Yeongjo’s reign, holding positions at Hongmun-gwansuchan and Sagwanwongyo before becoming a Daesagan. He even taught Prince Jangheon with the king’s favor and Chancellor Chae Jegong’s recommendation. As a local official, he was known for his benevolence towards the people, as depicted in Jeong Yak-yong’s ‘Mokminsimseo.’ Jeongwon left behind many valuable books such as ‘Yeokhae Chamgo.’ The house has a size of 3 rooms in the front and 2 rooms on the sides, featuring a unique octagonal-shaped roof. (Source: Cultural Heritage Administration)
• Address (location): 14 Samsan-gil, Yean-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Andong Icheon-dong Maitreya Buddha Statue (Jebiwon Stone Buddha)
The Ma-aeya Buddha Statue in Icheon-dong, Andong is believed to be located at the site where the Yeonmisa Temple once stood. Recently, a new rock cave called ‘Jebiwon’ was incorporated, hence it is also known as the ‘Jebiwon Buddha.’ This majestic statue, standing at a height of 12.38 meters, is carved into a natural cliff with the body outlined by lines and the head placed separately. This style of statue was commonly made during the Goryeo Dynasty, similar to the Ma-aeya Amitabha Buddha Statue in Yongmiri, Paju. Although the back of the head is mostly damaged, the front remains intact. The head features a towering topknot and a compassionate smile on the face, giving a natural appearance to the entire statue. Traces of vermillion color on the head and face indicate that it was originally painted. The robes drape over both shoulders, with only a few folds depicted in a very schematic manner. The hands are shown with the index and middle fingers touching, left hand placed on the chest and right hand on the abdomen. This statue follows the trend of creating a separate headpiece and placing it on a rock face with engraved Buddhist scriptures, a popular style during the Goryeo Dynasty. Judging from the strong facial features and detailed carving style, it is estimated to have been created in the 11th century.
• Address (location): San 2, Icheon-dong, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Andong Taesamyoe
Tae Sa Myo is a historic site located in Andong City on a 1229-pyeong (4,062 square meters) land. It has been a place of ancestral rites for over a thousand years, enshrining the tablets of three eminent figures: Kim Seon-pyeong, Kwon Haeng, and Jang Jeong-pil. The site includes various buildings such as the Treasure Hall, Sungbo Hall, East and West Libraries, Gyungmoru Pavilion, Jeonsa Shrine, Chajeongak Pavilion, Anmyodang Shrine, and Jusa Kitchen, totaling 10 structures designated as cultural heritage sites. In addition, there are 11 relics from the Goryeo period, consisting of 21 artifacts recognized as national treasures, symbolizing the historical significance of Andong as a local cultural heritage site.
• Address (location): 13 Taesa-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Yeonghoru Pavilion
Since ancient times, Andong’s Yeonghoro Pavilion has been known as one of the representative pavilions south of the Han River along with Millyang’s Yeongnamro, Jinju’s Chokseokro, and Namwon’s Gwanghanru. Although there are no specific records about its construction and the exact builder remains unknown, the name Yeonghoro has been intertwined with the traditional glory of Yeongbu Andong for thousands of years. However, the current Yeonghoro is a traditional Korean pavilion made of reinforced concrete. It features a frontage of 5 bays and 4 bays on the sides, with a peaked roof. On the northern side, there is a plaque handwritten by King Gongmin, while on the southern side, there is a plaque with the handwriting of President Park Chung-hee that reads ‘Yeonghoro.’ Inside, you can find original and restored plaques lost during the flood of Gapsool year. Currently, there are 12 plaques displayed, including 1 imperial plaque and 2 restored plaques.
• Address (location): 187-5 Gangnam-ro, Jung-ha-dong, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Wolcheon Seodang
Wolcheon Seodang, designated as a cultural monument in Gyeongsangbuk-do, was established by Wolcheon Jomok (1524-1606) to nurture young scholars. Jomok received teachings from Toegye Yi Hwang and passed the state examination in the 7th year of King Myeongjong’s reign (1552). However, he declined various official positions and focused solely on academic research while closely following Yi Hwang. During the Imjin War, he gathered his younger brother and two sons to join the righteous army, and he was the only disciple of Yi Hwang to be enshrined at Dosan Seowon Sangdeoksa. Built in the 34th year of King Jungjong’s reign (1539), this Seodang has a frontage of 4 rooms and a side of 2 rooms, with a unique octagonal roof resembling the number eight when viewed from the side. The central two rooms form a raised wooden floor, with ondol rooms on either side. The plaque reading ‘Wolcheon Seodang’ bears the handwritten inscription of Yi Hwang.
• Address (location): 437-7 Wolcheon-gil, Dosan-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Yooam Seowon
Yooam Seowon was established in 1761 on Yooam Hill, at the border of Dokjin-ri in Bukhu-myeon and Juhari in Warung-myeon, to enshrine the tablet of the late scholar Lee Jeongbaek, who gathered volunteer soldiers during the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592 and contributed to repelling the invaders in various regions like Andong, Yechon, Sangju, Uiseong, and Gunwi. The Seowon was founded to honor the distinguished scholar and promote education and enlightenment for local residents during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. Originally established in 1786 by Ha Geum-ga, it was dismantled by the decree of Prince Heungseon Daewongun in 1868 (5th year of King Gojong), and later restored in 1936. Within the complex, you can find Jondeoksa Shrine, the lecture hall, the ancestral rites hall, and the academy. Jondeoksa Shrine features a main hall with a 3×2 bay layout and a gable roof with decorative roof tiles, while the lecture hall has a 4×3 bay layout with a hip-and-gable roof. The ancestral rites hall has a 1×1 bay layout with a gable roof and holds ancestral rites every March 15th.
• Address (location): 571-4 Seoju-gil, Warang-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Cheongseong Seowon
Andong Cheongseong Shrine is a shrine dedicated to honoring Songam Kwonho-mun (1532-1587). Kwonho-mun was a scholar and poet during the reign of King Seonjo of the Joseon Dynasty (1567-1608), who spent his lifetime immersed in nature due to his high virtue, attracting many other scholars to visit him. The shrine was established in the 41st year of Seonjo’s reign (1608), enshrining the spirit tablet of the teacher and conducting rituals, and later moved to its current location in the 43rd year of King Yeongjo (1767). Unfortunately, it was dismantled in the 5th year of King Gojong (1868) due to an order to close down shrines, but was later restored to its original site in 1909 according to the wishes of local scholars. Within the shrine, there are seven buildings including the main hall, east and west wings, study halls, and ceremonial rooms. Rituals are held at the shrine every February and August.
• Address (location): 10 Umaksil-gil, Pungsan-eup, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Tayang Seowon
Tayang Seowon is a Confucian academy established in 1741 during the reign of King Yeongjo. It was founded to honor the scholars Son Hong-ryang, Kim Ja-su, and Ryu Jung-eom. Originally located in Iljik Songni Back Mountain, it was rebuilt in Sari Village in 1984. Every March, a memorial service is held on the main courtyard. The site includes Sanghyun Shrine, Seonggyeong Hall, Jinsu Pavilion, and a main gate called Gyeonganmun. Unfortunately, the library was not completed. This place is a beautiful representation of traditional Korean culture that foreign visitors can easily appreciate.
• Address (location): 55-11 Jotap Road, Iljik-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Gaemoksa Temple
Awakening the Inner Eye at Gaemok Temple. Located above the oldest temple in our country, Bongjeongsa in Andong, Gaemok Temple was originally known as Heungguksa, established by the Buddhist monk Uisang during the early Unified Silla period on the mid-slope of Cheondeungsan Mountain. Uisang, with his exceptional skills, built a massive temple with 99 chambers, spending one hour each day for 99 days. Afterwards, this temple became a place where many Buddhas’ blessings were manifested, attracting numerous believers who came to pray and fulfill their wishes. The iconic Wonjongjeon Hall, designated as a national treasure, still retains its ancient charm. It is said that Gaemoksa Wonjongjeon Hall was built in the 3rd year of King Sejo’s reign during the Joseon Dynasty. When viewed from the side, the front eaves protrude longer than the back, with distinctive wooden brackets supporting the tiled roof. The carvings on the front and back sides differ, with the front featuring smooth curves and the back with protruding elements. The interior features exposed rafters with intricately carved brackets and ceiling decorations, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship.
Two Stories Behind the Name Gaemoksa. Two stories explain the origin of the name Gaemoksa. According to the records in Yeonggaji, the temple was initially named Heungguksa. Due to the lack of foresight among the visually impaired locals in Andong, the monks changed the name to Gaemoksa, meaning “Opening the Eyes,” as a playful nod to the situation. Another tale credits the early Joseon official Maeng Saseong, who noticed the prevalence of eye diseases among the residents of Andong, for renaming the temple to Gaemoksa, symbolizing the hope for clarity and healing.
• Address (location): 362 Gaemoksa-gil, Seohumyeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea