TAKE A WALK IN THE GAZEBO(누정산책) - Byeongsan-Seowon’Mandaeru

TAKE A WALK IN THE GAZEBO(누정산책) - Byeongsan-Seowon’Mandaeru

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoLLOVlOc4E

Byeongsan-Seowon’Mandaeru

병산서원 만대루

Seowon is a Korean local private academy. Nine seowons are listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. Which seowon do people want to visit most? It is Byeongsan Seowon located in the city of Andong in North Gyeongsang Province. In front of Byeongsan Seowon is a white sandbar and Nakdong River, and Byeongsan Mountain in the background is laid out like a folding screen. That’s where the name Byeongsan comes. Byeongsan means folding screen-like mountains.

When you climb Byeongsan Mountain across the river, you will see more stunning scenery. In particular, Byeongsan Seowon becomes Mureungdowon (paradise) when the flowers bloom on the Baerong trees (crape myrtle) during the summer. It looks as if Seowon is on fire.

Byeongsan Seowon enshrines the notable Confucian scholar-official Seoae Ryu Seongryong (1542-1607) of the Joseon dynasty. Its architectural structure is no different from other seowons. However, the praise for Byeongsan Seowon is endless.

‘The best of Korean architectural history’

‘Ideal space of being in harmony with nature’

Indeed it is! At the summit of its glory, there is Mandaeru.

Mandaeru is a big pavilion; its size is 7 kan (squares) across the front and 2 kan along the side. The unfinished headstones and pillars that hold up the second floor are left in their natural state.

As you climb Mandaeru, a picturesque landscape spreads out wherever your eyes turn. Indeed, the buildings of Byeongsan Seowon, and especially Mandaeru, are among the most beautiful in Korean architecture.

‘If You Close Your Eyes I'm Still With You’

music by Late Night Feeler