Myeongdong Cathedral

Myeongdong Cathedral

Myeongdong Cathedral is located on Myeongdong 2-gil in Jung District, Seoul. It is Korea's first church and also the country’s first Gothic-style building, holding significant epoch-making importance as designated Historic Site No. 285 of Korea.

After Catholicism was introduced to Korea, it spread rapidly, and believers often gathered in Myeongdong. From the 1830s onward, missionaries began living in seclusion in this area and secretly spreading their faith from there. In 1882, then-chancellor Bishop Brown purchased the land, began laying the foundation in 1887, held the groundbreaking ceremony in 1892, and completed the construction with a completion ceremony in 1898. The church was originally named Jonghyeon Church, but in 1945, to celebrate Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, it was renamed Myeongdong Cathedral.

Unlike typical stone-built Gothic structures, Myeongdong Cathedral is made of red bricks, giving it a very unique and beautiful appearance. The high ceilings inside the church and the arches between the pillars also showcase the beauty of Gothic architecture, leaving visitors in awe. In addition, just behind the cathedral lies the Our Lady’s Garden, where organ performances are sometimes held at noon, often earning rounds of applause from audiences.

Myeongdong Cathedral

Must-visit reason: Korea’s oldest church

Continent: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region: Korea[Korea]

Province/State: Seoul Special City [Seoul Special City]

City: Jung-gu [Jung-gu]