Myeongdong Cathedral is the Church for Archdiocese of Seoul and is also the birthplace for the Roman Catholic Church community in Korea. The church houses the remains of several individuals: Bishop Laurent Joseph Marie Imbert (1796-1839), and priests Peter Simon (1803-1839), James (Jacques Honor Chasten, 1803-1839) and Pourthie Jean Antoine Charles (1830-1866) and four martyrs.
Myeongdong Cathedral paved the way as Korea’s first-ever Roman Catholic Church. At the same time, this destination gave rise to the country’s first-ever Gothic building. Today, the elevated building is a famous central hotspot of downtown Seoul. From the architecture to the background history- tourists simply can’t get enough.
How to reach Myeongdong Cathedral?
There are several ways to arrive at your destination. This includes the following:
- Subway Line 4, which is the Myeongdong Station. Here, you’ll need to take the Exit number 9.
- You can alternatively opt for Subway Line 2, which is the Euljiro 1 (il)-ga Station. Now get off at Exit number 5.
- Another way of reaching the Cathedral is opting for Subway Line 2, Euljiro 3 (sam)-ga Station. You’ll need to get off at Exit number 12 here.
In general, the church is open all year round and everyday of the week, except for Mondays. Upon reaching the first alley of the Cathedral, you will find an underground complex from which you can enter towards the Cathedral garden.
A little history of Myeongdong Cathedral
This church’s construction goes back to the year 1892. And within a short timeframe of 6 years, you could appreciate its presence by 1898.
Designated as the famous historic site number 258, you’ll need to travel through several floors. Moreover, the journey begins at the basement level. As you proceed further, you’ll witness a number of shrines encasing the remains of martyrs from the past.
When looking at the classic building, you get some uniquely characteristic vibes. It’s almost indescribable. And that’s a mystery that remains until today.
Myeongdong Cathedral is also the seat for Korea’s Archbishop. His name is Andrew Yeom Soo-Jung. He is the country’s highest prelate for the religion. An interesting fact to note is how this age-old building is remarkably different from many others. And that has to do with the fact that it’s Gothic but made from bricks. On the other hand, most other structures are made from stone. To put it simply, the Myeongdong Cathedral’s sublime architecture is a mystery on its own. And tourists embark on a journey to discover it all.
The Beautiful Architecture
First things first- you will notice one striking statue as you make it past the gateway. Yes, the gardens feature the famous ‘Statue of Our Lady.’ It’s surrounded by luscious greenery. Let’s not forget the colorful flowers. This makes it a center point of attraction.
Moreover, these belong to all those who devoted their lives in the name of the Catholic religion. Right behind the location, visitors can witness Seongmo Dongsan. This is the famous St. Mary’s garden.
Unfortunately, when I visited here, the Church was closed due to Covid-19 spread, therefore, I have only seen the beauty of this Church from outside however, as soon as the things get better, I will like to attend a sermon there.
The Awesome Night View
The garden in front of the cathedral is filled with artificial white rose flowers which have led lights in them. As soon as the night hits, the flowers come into action and glow to produce a view seen no where else.
That amazing nightscape just keeps mesmerizing you over and over again by each passing second. For me, it is one of the top 3 highlight moments of my year 2020.
Remarks
This destination continually reaches out towards the global community. This is in regard to the location’s efforts for prayers. Similarly, they work a lot on religious community work.
While the Myeongdong district of Seoul is bustling, it’s nice to take some time out and visit this church. As one of Korea’s oldest churches, you won’t ever find it empty. On a regular basis, you’ll witness masses taking place. Also, it’s good to avoid photography inside. I urge you to pay a visit to this amazing place in Seoul and feel God with you.
Thank you so much for reading my post and sharing my experience. Also, if you like this post, please share your reviews or you can read about my other experiences here. Have a good day and stay safe !
