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Gwanghallu Pavilion & Garden - 광한루 (廣寒樓) (1419-1590s, rebuilt 1639 onward)

Gwanghallu-won is a spacious park comprising a number of pavilions and artificial landscapes dating from the Joseon dynasty. Originally, Prime Minister Hwang Hui built Gwangtongnu pavilion here in 1419 to enjoy nature. In 1434 it was newly renovated by Governor Min Yeogong. A decade later, in 1434, the site caught the eye of Jeong In-ji, the provinicial governor, who had been on a tour of the area. He felt that the site bore a striking likeness to the description of the "GwangHanCheongHeoBu" (Broad, cold, clear, wide pavilion) in a story concerning a palace on the moon (where a certain beauty named Hanga was said to live).

In 1461, Governor Jang Euiguk again repaired Gwanghallru Pavilion and introduced a fresh water stream from Yocheon River to make a large pond near the pavilion. He had a bridge built, called Ojakgyo, to span the pond, symbolizing the Milky Way in space.

Later, another governor named Jeong Cheol repaired and rebuilt Gwanghallru Pavilion on a large scale and made three artificial islands called Bongnae Island, Bangjang Island, and Yeongju Island, which symbolized Mt. Samsin (a legendary mountain where three gods live). He had zinnia planted on Bongnae Island, bamboo planted on Bangjang Island, and Yeongjugak pavilion constructed on Yeongju Island.

Unfortunately, all the structures built to that date were destroyed in the 1590s during the Japanese invasion of Korea. The present Gwanghallru Pavilion was rebuilt by the mayor of Namwon in 1639. Yeongjugak Pavilion was rebuilt in 1794 and Bangjangjeon Pavilion was reconstructed on Bangjang Island.

Gwanghallru Pavilion is famous as the place where Yi Mongnyong and Chun Hyang enjoyed their romance in the novel 'Chunhyangjeon' (likened to Korea's equivalent to Romeo and Juliet). An ancestral shrine to Chunhyang was built on the grounds in the 1920s and equipped with a portrait of Chunhyang painted by Kim Eunho. The site is very popular for unmarried people, who pray to Chunhyang for luck at finding a future spouse.

According to GPS readings taken on-site by the author, the north entrance to the site is at 35 24.26200' N, 127 22.77629' E (WGS 84 map datum). Address: 전북 남원시 천거동 77-1.

(Designated Treasure #281).