Chungnam · Propriety (禮) Nonsan, Chungnam
Donam Seowon (Confucian Academy)
A UNESCO World Heritage academy honouring Kim Jang-saeng — where Chungcheong's scholarly lineage began.
Donam Seowon was founded in 1634 by the disciples of Kim Jang-saeng (1548–1631), the great master of Joseon ritual studies, to honour their teacher. In 1660 it received the name "Donam" from the king as a royally chartered academy, and Kim Jip, Song Jun-gil and Song Si-yeol were later enshrined here too. It was one of the few academies that survived when the regent Heungseon Daewongun closed seowon across the country, and it moved to its current site in 1880.
Its lecture hall, Eungdodang, is a Treasure of Korea, and in 2019 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the nine "Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies".
The Confucian Connection
Kim Jang-saeng placed ye (禮, propriety) at the heart of learning and founded late-Joseon ritual studies; his disciples spread through Daejeon, Sejong and Chungbuk to form Chungcheong's scholarly culture. All four courses on this site start from Donam Seowon.
Visitor Information
- Address
- 26-14 Im 3-gil, Yeonsan-myeon, Nonsan, Chungnam
- Opening hours
- Please check the official information before visiting
- Admission
- Please check the official information before visiting
Opening hours, fees and other details are being verified. Please check official sources before you visit.