Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies

The architectural ensemble of nine Seowon academies features lecture halls, living quarters, ritual spaces, and gardens within mountain and water settings.

During the Joseon Dynasty from the 16th to 17th centuries, these private academies educated aristocrats and future civil administrators in Neo-Confucian principles.

Each Seowon academy maintains strong connections to specific Korean scholars and continues traditional ceremonies emphasizing Confucian values through music and rituals.

The nine locations, including Dosan, Sosu, and Oksan Seowon, offer free entry and require approximately one hour to explore their educational facilities.

In 2019, UNESCO recognized these academies for their role in developing a distinctly Korean interpretation of Neo-Confucianism and spreading it nationwide.

GPS coordinates: 36.72730,128.84343

Latest update: March 4, 2025 01:44