A Sadang(shrine) was build in the 32th year
of king Sukjong(1706) to pay tribute to
Yi Sunsin. This was the 108th year after
General Yi had died at the sea battle of
Noryang in 1598. King Sukjong personally
gave the name "Hyeonchungsa" to
the Sadang in the following year.
After then, the burning incense that
cherishes General Yi did not go out for
nearly 200 years. However it was dilapidated
by oppression of Japan for a while. In
addition , the grave of Yi Sunsin fell
into the danger of being passed onto a
Japanese's property. So, nationalists
organized "a group for preserving
Yi sunsin's remains" and raised fund
to rebuild Sadang in 1932 in order to
put the spirit of nation to right by raising
high the great achievements of General
Yi Sunsin. And after regaining independence,
memorial service has been carried out
every year on General Yi's birthday(28th
of April, by solar calendar) so as to
cherish the memory of Yi Sunsin.
To come to the shape of present, Hyeonchungsa
had to undergo rebuilding process for
buildings like main building, exhibition
building for remains, old house aswell
as landscape construction work between
1966 to 1974. Such events took place after
announcing this ground as sacred precincts
and enlarged the area, so as to praise
Yi Sunsin's virtue and loyalty which was
entirely devoted to save this country
lifelong.
The major facilities include the main
building that has portrait of Yi Sunsin,
the old house in which he grew up, the
archery field where he practiced military
arts, the Jeongryeo where the frame Sukjong
gave is hanging and the grave of his third
son, Lee, Myeon. In the exhibition hall
of remains, many remains including model
of turtleship, his diary during the war
and a sword are presented.
