Daeseongjeon Hall at Sungkyunkwan completes 3-year renovation; 1602 inscription and longest 'pyeonggodae' discovered

The Daeseongjeon Hall at Seoul's Munmyo Shrine and Sungkyunkwan has unveiled its restored appearance after a three-year renovation project. The hall, which enshrines the spirit tablets of Confucius and 18 other Korean scholars, was originally rebuilt in 1602. The recent extensive repairs, costing approximately 7.7 billion won (about $5.6 million), began in September 2023 after a sag was detected in the northeast eaves.

A significant find during the renovation was a handwritten inscription detailing construction information from the 1602 rebuilding. Additionally, four 'pyeonggodae' beams, each measuring 18.8 meters, were identified. These beams, used to create the curve of the eaves, are reportedly the longest single-piece wooden beams of their kind found in Korea.

The renovation prioritized reusing existing structural components where possible. Traditional handmade roof tiles, lighter than the originals, were used for replacement. The project also involved correcting the shapes of decorative roof elements like the 'chwidu' (ridge finials) and 'japsang' (animal figurines on the roof corners). Traditional pigments were employed for the 'dancheong' (traditional colorful decoration), and historical pillar decorations, including white and blue papering at the base, were restored.

The completion ceremony for the renovation was held on August 24th at the Daeseongjeon Hall's front yard. The project aimed to preserve the historical integrity of the structure while ensuring its long-term stability and aesthetic appeal.