Seoul(Gangseo-gu) , The Western Part of the Seoul

Guam Park is located in the area around Heogabawi Rock, a natural rock cave beneath Tapsan Mountain. It is said that Heo Seon-mun, the forefather of the Yangcheon Heo clan, was born here. The park was built to commemorate Heo Jun who is widely known as a saintly physician. Guam is his penname. It is said that after retirement, Heo Jun came to Heogabawi Rock to compile the famous medical book Dongui Bogam.A part of the Hangang River here was turned into a lake due to the construction of the Olympic Expressway and high-rise apartments surrounding the park. There is a statue of Heo Jun treating a patient and in the lake, there is a purple-colored rock with holes called Gwangju Rock. Before the construction of the Yanghwadaegyo Bridge, this area used to be where visitors would take a ferry (Gongam Ferry) to cross the other side.Heogabawi Rock, which is wide enough to accommodate about 20 men, is said to be where people took refuge there during wars, including the Imjin Waeran War, Byeongja Horan War, and the Korean War. Gwangju Rock and Heogabawi Rock is the site of Jechapaeui (the rock where rituals were offered to the God of the Earth and the God of Crops during the Hanseong Baekje period). This was also the first historical name given to this area.


Seoul(Jung-gu)

Seoul Cathedral Anglican Church of Korea began construction under Mark Trollope, the third bishop of the Anglican Church of Korea, in 1922. It was designed by a English architect Arthor Dixon. Dedication ceremony of the church was held On May 2, 1926 when the construction work hadn't been completed yet. At that time, the church building was a 3-storey building with a 992 m² floor size. Later in 1993, the original blue print of the church was found at a library in England and the construction resumed and would be completed in 1996. The church building is a harmonious combination of Romanesque and traditional Korean style. The exterior of the church is shaped like a cross with various lines placed in harmony. Inside the cathedral, there are 12 stone columns symbolizing the 12 apostles, a mosaic of Jesus on the front wall, and a brass plate in commemoration of Mark Trollope. Under the brass plate, the remains of the bishop Mark Trollope are enshrined. * Size: B1-3F * Building site area: 519㎡ (157 pyeong), Ground area 909㎡ (275 pyeong)


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Located inside Changdeokgung Palace, Huijeongdang Hall is a one-storey structure built in ikgong style (bird wing-shaped eaves placed on top of the pillars) with a hip tiled gable roof. It has 11 kans in the front and 4 kans to the sides (kan: a traditional unit of measurement referring to the space between two columns that is roughly 6 to 8 feet). During the latter period of the Joseon Dynasty, the hall was used as the king’s workplace. It is situated right in front of the palace’s residential hall called Daejojeon Hall. Originally built upon the foundation of Changdeokgung Palace, Huijeongdang Hall was destroyed by multiple fires during the battles of the Imjin War (Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592). It was rebuilt in 1834 but was burnt down again in 1917. The current structure is the one reconstructed in 1920. The frequent destruction and restoration of the hall account for the many changes that occurred in terms of the size and purpose of the building. The 9 kans in the front and 3 kans on the sides have been decorated into a living room with a Korean-style reception room on the left and a western-style reception room on the right. The rest of the building was used as hallways and other small rooms such as bathroom and cubicles. The hall's interior is decorated with foreign-made furniture as a result of the western influences at the time. The electricity installed in and outside the rooms is a change that took place during the last phase of the Korean empire. The original structure, however, had been strictly constructed according to the original palace building standards.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Situated in the gallery district in the back alley of Samcheong-dong (east of Gyeongbokgung Palace), the World Jewelry Museum houses 3,000 jewelry pieces from 60 countries, which have been collected over 30 years. Of which, 1,000 have been selected for display. The first floor contains an Amber Wall that goes back as far as 50 million years, the Golden Hall (El Dorado), the Necklace Hall, and the solemn Alter of the Cross. The second floor holds a mask wall, rings, beads and ivory as well as modern jewelry.


Seoul(Gwanak-gu)

Jaunam Hermitage was originally built in 1396 by Great Monk Muhak of Joseon Dynasty. It was renovated in 1734, and finally took shape of the hermitage we know today in 1976 when Monk Boryun added Daeungjeon Hall, Chilseonggak Pavilion, and Sansigak Pavilion. It is currently located in the famous Jahadong Valley on the Seoul National University campus.


Seoul(Seocho-gu)

Located at the foot of Umyeonsan Mountain in Umyeon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Gwanmunsa Temple had its ground-breaking ceremony in 1993 and construction was completed in October, 1998. The temple site has a total area 6,700 pyeong (22,148.76㎡) with 7 ground levels and 4 basement levels. The temple was constructed with a mixture of modern and traditional Buddhism architecture forms. Inside the temple, cutting-edge facilities are used for various cultural events, conferences, and sacred ceremonies. Located near Cheonggyesan Mountain, Umyeonsan Mountain, and Yangjaecheon Stream, the temple is near many natural spots visitors can enjoy. In particular, Umyeonsan Mountain (alt. 293m) where Gwanmunsa Temple is located gets its name as the mountain is shaped like a sprawling cow (the Chinese character 'U' (우) means cow). The temple site was chosen as it is considered an auspicious area. Designated as a City Park and managed by Seoul-si, Umyeonsan Mountain has several valleys with clear small fountains and a dense forest with a variety of animals and plants.


Seoul(Jung-gu)

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was established as a result of Korea gaining religious freedom in the 23rd year of King Gojong’s reign (1886) and the subsequent increase of the Catholic population.In 1891, Myeongdong Cathedral's head priest Doucet laid down the foundation stone in Hap-dong. Coadjutor bishop Coste was in charge of design and construction and the building was eventually completed in 1892.The church was named after "Yakjeonhyeon" (藥田峴,), or a hill of medicinal herbs. This is because the place where the church is located was once a hilly area covered with medicinal herbs. Later on, "Yakjeonhyeon" was shortened to "Yakhyeon" and it became the name of the hilly area between Malli-dong and Seoul Station.Yakhyeon Catholic Church was the first Western-style church ever built in Korea. It's Gothic architecture features a 12m-wide and 32m-long cruciform construction with low arched windows and a pointed-arch entrance gate.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Opened in March 2003, the Fine Art Gallery Art Link is a gallery that displays art pieces while creating an opportunity for patrons to meet the art and artists. The gallery also contributes to communication between modern art and people through online and offline channels. アートリンクは作品の作り手と芸術品コレクター、大衆を繋げるための空間で、2003年3月にオープンしました。ここでは、on/off lineの全てのツールを通じて、現代美術と大衆との円満な疎通を試みています。    


Seoul(Seocho-gu)

Yangjaecheon was originally the first tributary to the Hangang River, but, it became an artificial river as a result of the Hangang River Coastal Development Project and some other changes by surrounding developments.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

When taking the subway from Seoul Station to Yongsan Station, you will notice a tall and distinct hanok (traditional Korean architecture) building; this is Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs. Construction of the building began in 1984, the year of the 200th anniversary of Catholicism in Korea, and was completed after three years. Also called "Nodeul" and "Sanamgi", Saenamteo was used as military training ground during the early Joseon period. It was also the place where convicted felons and the Sayuksin (the six martyred ministers) were executed.   Many Catholics were executed here during the Sinyu Persecution of 1801, the Gihae Persecution of 1839, the Byeongo Persecution of 1846, and the Byeongin Persecution of 1866. Among those executed were 11 priests including the first Korean priest Kim Taegon (Andrew), the first Chinese priest that came to Korea Ju Mun Mo (Jacobus), the first French priest that came to Korea Bishop Imbert and other Catholics including Hyeon Seok-mun. There is also an altar here where the remains of nine Catholic saints are enshrined.