Simgok Seowon심곡서원

About

Simgok Seowon enshrines as its principal figure Jeongam Jo Gwang-jo (1482–1519), leader of the Sarim faction during the reign of King Jungjong of the Joseon Dynasty. It follows the typical layout of a Joseon-era seowon (Confucian academy), known as jeonhak humyo (“study in front, shrine behind”), with the lecture hall at the front and the shrine at the back. When Heungseon Daewongun ordered the abolition of seowon in 1871, it was the only academy dedicated to Jo Gwang-jo that was left intact, and it survives to this day. It is about a 4-minute drive from Gwanggyo Sanghyeon IC and about 3 minutes from Sanghyeon Station on the Sinbundang Line, and a bus runs directly from the station. The tomb and spirit-way stele of Munjeonggong Jo Gwang-jo are not far away, and nearby attractions include Everland, the Korean Folk Village, the World Heritage sites Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Yungneung and Geolleung Royal Tombs, Jisan Forest Resort ski area, Deokpyeong Dinosaur Arboretum, and Hantaek Botanical Garden.