A Hyanggyo, Confucian shrine-school, was a type of provincial educational institution introduced in the Goryeo period lasting up to the closing years of the Joseon period. No records tell the exact time of the foundation of the Dongnae Hyanggyo, but it is presumed that this was among those erected in the early Joseon period after the Court decided in 1392 to build and operate a Hyanggyo at each of major towns across the country.

Hyanggyos usually consisted of a Daeseongjeon (main shrine) dedicated to Confucian saints and sages, Myeongryundang hall where lectures were given, and Dongjae and Seojae dormitories for students, along with other auxiliary structures like as warehouses. The two-storied gate of the Dongnae Hyanggyo is called Banhwaru, a name denoting the importance of the cultivation of one's virtues following the sages and the faithful service to the king,

After this shrine-school was burned down during the Japanese invasions (1592-98), it was rebuilt by the Dongnae Magistrate Hong Jun in 1605, and was relocated several times thereafter. The present Hyanggyo is the one erected by the Dongnae Magistrate Hong Suman in 1813.

Dongnae Hyanggyo is Busan Monument #61


Dongnae Hyanggyo Banhwaru Pavilion

Dongnae Hyanggyo Banhwaru Pavilion, also serves as the main gate, which is the tallest of all gates to the school. The pavilion gate was renovated and expanded in 1788, and was renamed Banhwaru. Later, Dongnae Hyanggyo was relocated to its current location in 1813, and Banhwaru Pavilion rebuilt in 1815.

Although the Banhwaru Pavilion was built relatively later than other gate pavilions at local Confucian schools, it is valuable in terms of academic and architectural history.

Dongnae Hyanggyo Banhwaru Pavilion is Busan Cultural Heritage Material #65.


Dongnae Hyanggyo Daeseongjeon

Dongnae Hyanggyo Daeseongjeon (main shrine) is the building where Confucian sages are enshrined and rites are performed for them, was constructed in 1392 when Hyanggyo was erected as an educational promotion policy around the country.

Dongnae Hyanggyo Daeseongjeon is an architectural cultural asset having high academic value considering that it shows not only detailed characteristics of Ikkgong (Ikgong Style is a simplified version of the bracket found in column-head and multi-bracket designs, featuring a bird beak-like protrusion as its main decorative element) style building in the early 19th century, but is also the highest in rank among several buildings in the premises of Dongnae Hyanggyo.

Dongnae Hyanggyo Daeseongjeon Shrine is Busan Tangible Cultural Heritage #6.


Dongnae Hyanggyo Myeongnyundang

Myeongnyundang, the Lecture Hall in Dongnae Hyanggyo, is a space for student education built in 1815 after Busan Mayor Hong Su-man relocated the school to the current location in 1813.

Myeongnyundang is a traditional Korean gabled building with five sections in the front and three sections along the sides featuring a wide main floor in the center, with two floor-heated rooms on either side that are one section in front, and two sections along the sides.

The eaves are different in the front and the back; the front eaves feature two ikkong structures (Ikgong Style is a simplified version of the bracket found in column-head and multi-bracket designs, featuring a bird beak-like protrusion as its main decorative element) displaying carved lotus shapes, while the back side is simpler, with the wood cut with simple cross-sections to match the length of the eaves.

Myeongnyundang in Dongnae Hyanggyo displays the architectural characteristics of local Confucian school buildings during the Late Joseon Dynasty, with the formation of its eaves, wood construction and joints, as they are have been well preserved throughout the history of the school.

Dongnae Hyanggyo Myeongnyundang is Busan Tangible Cultural Heritage #128.