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Dongmyo Shrine - 동묘 (東廟), 서울 (built 1599 onward)

Dongmyo shrine is dedicated to Kuan Yu (d. 219), a general of ancient China who is famous for his military prowess and his loyalty to the country. Formally called "Dongwangmyo," Dongmyo is also called "Gwanangmyo" or "Gwanjemyo". During the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, Korea's Joseon (Chosön) dynasty fought against the Japanese with the aid of the Chinese Ming army. It was thought that the spirit of Kuan Yu appeared many times to help the allied forces defeat the Japanese. In thanks for Kuan Yu's spiritual support, the Ming Emperor Shen-tsung provided funds for the construction of this shrine, along with a calligraphic plaque for the shrine that he produced himself. The Joseon government embarked on the construction in 1599 and completed the work in 1601.

The shrine, following the Chinese model, is narrower than width than depth, and the rear and side walls are sumptuously decorated with bricks. Inside the main shrine a wooden image of Kuan Yu is enshrined, along with statues of four of his retainers.

Address: 서울 종로구 숭인동 238-1

(Designated Treasure #142).

Location

The approximate location of Dongmyo is 37.572649' N, 127.018521' E (WGS 84 map datum).

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