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Bian Hyanggyo - 비안향교 (比安鄕校) (originally 1398, rebuilt 1610 onward)

Bian Hyanggyo was built in 1398 (the 7th year of King Taejo) and was destroyed during the Imjinwaeran (the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592). It was restored to its former state in 1610 (the 2nd year of Gwanghaegun) and was repaired in 1898, 1924, and again in 1935.

Like the vast majority of hyanggyo in Korea, the site is divided into upper and lower courtyards. The upper courtyard is dominated by Daeseongjeon hall, where ceremonies were performed venerating Confucius and other Chinese and local Confuncian sages. Legend says that during the Japanese invasions, a local resident named Son Bok hid Confucius's veneration tablet in a deep mountain cave to prevent it from being desecrated by the maurauding Japanese army.

The lower courtyard comprises a lecture hall (the Myeongryundang) flanked by the Dongmu and Seomu (east and west dormitories). The Myeongryundang functioned as a lecture hall, whereas the Dongmu and Seomu served as dormitories for the attending students. There is also a stunningly beautiful two-story tower adjacent to the Myeongryundang.

In the Joseon Period this Hyanggyo was supported by the country by donations of lands, tenants, and books. Nowadays the Hyanggyo is empty for most of the year except during ceremonies still held annually to venerate the sages enshrined here.

Visitors should ask the caretaker family (who lives in the building directly to the left of the site) for permission to enter, as the side entry to the hyanggyo sits in their backyard.

According to GPS readings taken by the author, the site sits at 36 22.205 N, 128 28.306 E (WGS84 map datum). Address: 경북 의성군 안계면 교촌리 285.

(Designated Cultural Heritage Material #263).