Gyeosi Village, a beautiful traditional village located in Yeonghae-myeon, Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, has been designated as National Folk Cultural Heritage No. 301, gaining national recognition for its historical and cultural significance. According to an announcement by Yeongdeok-gun on the 22nd, Gyeosi Village, known as the birthplace of Mok-eun Yi Saek, a great scholar of the late Goryeo Dynasty and a teacher of the new literati, holds profound meaning as it preserves the unique traditional architectural style of the East Coast along with its long history.
Notably, Gyeosi Village is adjacent to 'Yeongdeok Blue Road,' acclaimed as the best trekking course on the East Coast, and is linked to the clean Daejin Beach and the newly renovated Yeonghae Jangteo Street, which embraces history and culture. This positions it as a captivating tourism destination with the potential to offer both ecological and historical attractions.
Gyeosi Village was first settled by the Hamchang Kim clan approximately 800 years ago and has since been home to various clans. Currently, the Yeongyang Nam clan has resided there for over 400 years, firmly preserving its history and culture as a representative bancheon (traditional scholar-official village). Such a long-standing transmission and maintenance of a single clan's history and traditions in the northern coastal region of Gyeongsangbuk-do is a rare occurrence, further highlighting the cultural heritage value of Gyeosi Village. This designation marks the eighth National Folk Cultural Heritage site nationwide and elevates Yeongdeok-gun to a historical and cultural city boasting a total of eight National Designated Cultural Properties (2 National Treasures, 1 Natural Monument, and 5 National Folk Cultural Heritages).
Within the village, approximately 40 well-preserved traditional houses, including Gyeongsangbuk-do Folk Cultural Heritage No. 4 and 12 Cultural Heritage Materials, serve as crucial resources for understanding the lifestyle of the gentry in the past. In particular, most of the village houses feature the 'ㅁ'-shaped courtyard house structure, a characteristic of traditional East Coast houses, where the inner quarters, main quarters, and outbuildings are organically connected, presenting a unique aesthetic beauty. The similarity in these house structures suggests the transmission of architectural culture and the active exchanges of people from the Andong region across the Taebaek Mountains to Yeongdeok, holding significant historical and academic value.
Another distinctive feature of the Gyeosi Village courtyard houses is the protruding wing-house form of the sarangchae (men's quarters). This can be interpreted as an influence of the Joseon Dynasty's gentry culture that encouraged academic research and hospitality towards guests, carrying profound architectural significance. Furthermore, the presence of a tongnaetoekan (passageway for carrying sacrificial food) and a shrine for ancestral tablets on the front of the sarangchae is another important characteristic found in Gyeosi Village courtyard houses, reflecting the values of ancestral worship and the importance of family traditions prevalent at the time.
In addition to the courtyard houses, Gyeosi Village also houses a significant number of yangtongjip (parallel-room houses), which emphasize practicality. The yangtongjip is a housing structure where major spaces such as the main room and the men's room are arranged in two parallel rows under a single roof, serving as important evidence of the changes and diversity in late Joseon Dynasty residential architecture. The coexistence of these diverse forms of traditional houses in Gyeosi Village provides valuable data for architectural research and offers visitors a variety of sights.
The charm of Gyeosi Village extends beyond its residential houses. Throughout the village, pavilions (jeongja) and memorial halls (jaesil) that showcase the history and culture of the noble families are also situated, making it a rare case nationwide to find such a variety of architectural cultural properties within a single village. Representative pavilions include Goejeong Pavilion (槐亭) and Yeonghojeong Pavilion (映湖亭), both belonging to the Yeongyang Nam clan. Goejeong Pavilion, located in the center of the village, has served as a resting place and an important meeting venue for the villagers, while Yeonghojeong Pavilion, harmonizing with a beautiful pond, boasts a picturesque scenery. Memorial halls such as Chuwonjae have been used for ancestral rites and as spaces for descendants to gather and interact. These pavilions and memorial halls are not merely architectural structures but also important cultural heritages that offer a glimpse into the Joseon Dynasty gentry's refined tastes, academic pursuits, and community spirit.
The Yeonghae region, where Gyeosi Village is located, was a center of politics, economy, and culture as Yeonghae-bu during the Joseon Dynasty, encompassing the surrounding areas. It was a historically significant place where Confucianism flourished, producing numerous talented individuals, earning it the reputation of 'Little Andong.' The fact that 61 out of the total 66 architectural cultural properties designated within Yeongdeok-gun are concentrated in the Yeonghae region attests to the status of the area at that time. Based on this rich historical background and cultural heritage, the designation of Gyeosi Village as a National Folk Cultural Heritage is expected to be a crucial opportunity to re-evaluate the historical and cultural value of the entire Yeonghae region and to drive tourism revitalization.
Yeongdeok-gun plans to work closely with the Cultural Heritage Administration and property owners to systematically preserve Gyeosi Village, now National Folk Cultural Heritage No. 301, and actively utilize it as a historical and cultural tourism resource. To this end, starting next year, a comprehensive maintenance plan for the preservation and management of Gyeosi Village as a National Folk Cultural Heritage will be established, aiming to maintain the village's historicity and traditional character while providing visitors with a pleasant and informative viewing environment.
Yeongdeok-gun Mayor Lee Hee-jin stated, "The designation of Gyeosi Village as a National Folk Cultural Heritage is the result of the long-standing efforts of the village residents and the active support of the administration," and expressed his ambition to "develop Yeongdeok-gun into a nationally recognized historical and cultural city with the designation of Gyeosi Village as a National Folk Cultural Heritage as a stepping stone."
Yeongdeok Gyeosi Village: Suggesting an Attractive Travel Itinerary Linked with Surrounding Tourist Attractions
Newly recognized as a National Folk Cultural Heritage, Yeongdeok Gyeosi Village is a remarkable tourist destination in itself. However, linking it with the various surrounding tourist resources can offer an even richer and more diverse travel experience.
Yeongdeok Blue Road: Adjacent to Gyeosi Village, the Yeongdeok Blue Road is a trekking course along the beautiful East Coast coastline, allowing visitors to heal while admiring the stunning scenery of the blue sea and bizarre rocks. In particular, Course B (Blue Crab Road), close to Gyeosi Village, passes through various ports and beaches such as Daetan Port and Chuksanhang, also offering the pleasure of tasting fresh seafood.
Daejin Beach: Boasting a clean sandy beach and shallow waters, Daejin Beach is perfect for family travelers. Visitors can enjoy swimming in the summer and relax while appreciating the beautiful sea scenery in all seasons.
Yeonghae Jangteo Street: With a long history, Yeonghae Jangteo (market street) has recently been renovated into a vibrant space offering various foods and attractions. Visitors can experience the atmosphere of a traditional market, taste local specialties, and enjoy diverse cultural events and performances. Visiting Yeonghae Jangteo along with Gyeosi Village will provide a deeper experience of Yeongdeok's history and culture.
Chuksanhang Port: Famous for its fresh seafood and snow crabs, Chuksanhang is a must-visit for gourmands. Enjoying fresh seafood dishes while overlooking the blue East Sea will provide an unforgettable culinary experience. There are also scenic spots around Chuksanhang, such as the Jukdosan Observatory.
Goraebul Beach: With a wide and long sandy beach and shallow waters, Goraebul Beach is ideal for families with children. The surrounding area is equipped with campsites and various convenience facilities, making it suitable for a relaxing vacation.
By visiting Gyeosi Village, now a National Folk Cultural Heritage, along with these diverse and attractive surrounding tourist destinations, travelers can experience a rich Yeongdeok journey encompassing history, culture, nature, and gastronomy. It is hoped that Gyeosi Village will be systematically preserved and utilized as an attractive tourism resource, and that many people will visit this place to feel the beauty and historical value of Korea's traditional villages.
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