Geochang Bangguheon

Bangguheon is the house where Yaong Jeong Gi-pil, who served as the magistrate of Yeongyang during the reigns of King Heonjong and King Cheoljong of the Joseon Dynasty, resided. Yaong was renowned for his integrity and virtuous conduct while serving as a local magistrate. After resigning from his post and returning to his hometown, he had no property or residence, so it is said that Bangguheon was built with the help of the magistrate of Anui at the time. The name Bangguheon means 'to look back and reflect on oneself.' Only the gate quarters and the sarangchae (men's quarters) remain. Based on the ridge beam inscription left in the sarangchae, it is presumed to have been rebuilt in 1870. The sarangchae, called Bangguheon, is a relatively large building with a hip-and-gable roof, measuring 5 kan (bays) in the front and 5 kan on the sides. The most distinctive feature of this building is that the wooden-floored hall (daecheong) is only 1 kan and is not located in the center, while there are 3 kan rooms. It has a raised wooden floor (numaru) with a railing on one side. Therefore, a furnace was installed in the center of the rear side of the building to heat two rooms from one location. The structure is simple and plain, but overall it is an important building that exudes the dignity of a noble family.