Seongyojang House in South Korea

Seongyojang House in South Korea is one of the largest estates remaining from the Joseon dynasty. It is the former upper class residence of the Naebeon Lee (1703~1781), the noble family of Gangneung-si in Gangwon-do Province. It was designated national treasure No. 5 in 1965. The meaning of 'Seon' in Seongyojang, is boat. During the time of its construction, Seongyojang had the Gyeongpo Lake directly in front of it and, boat was the means of transportation. Hence, the name Seongyojang House.

Features of Seongyojang House in South Korea

  -   Seongyojang House in South Korea was built in stages over many years with construction continuing even today.
  -   Ten generations of descendents of Naebeon Lee have continued to live at Seongyojang.
  -   The Gyeongpo Lake, in front of the mansion, at one time reached the enormous circumference of 12km.
  -   Its size has reduced by 4km over the years and its depth has decreased by 1~2 meters.
  -   The earliest portion of the house which is now the inner quarters, was constructed in about 1756 by Yi Naebeon.
  -   His grandson, Yi Hu, built in 1815 the section which is now the outer quarters.
  -   A year later, Yi Hu added the L-shaped Hwallaejeong pavilion inside the main entrance and the lotus pond in the outer garden.
  -   The pond with the lotus flowers in full bloom in front of this building makes for a setting straight out of a traditional Korean painting.
  -   The picturesque Hwallaejeong is considered as a very important structure.
  -   Yi Hu's great-grandson, Yi Geunu, reconstructed Hwallaejeong pavilion in the garden.
  -   Yeolhwadang is considered as another important structure on the property as the male owner of the property resided in this building.
  -   This structure was given the name 'Yeolhwadang' in order to promote happiness and joy among the people living there.
  -   In the late 19th c, a sunshade made of Russian copperplate was built in front of Yeolhwadang pavilion in the outer quarters.
  -   KBS or the Korean Broadcasting System has selected this residency as one of the top ten most well preserved original buildings in Korea that was constructed over the past 300 years.
  -   The house is still occupied today by a descendant of the founder.
  -   She currently lives in a newly constructed wing to the east of the main house.