MANNAM Jeounju - Jeondong Catholic Church

A weekend ago I went to Jeonju with a group of people from Church to see one of the most famous Catholic churches in South Korea.

That is Jeondong Catholic Church which is one of tourist attraction in Jeonju, city of traditional beauty and food.

Jeondong Catholic Church in Jeonju is located in the entrance of Jeonju Hanok Village(Traditional Korean House). Jeondong Catholic Church in Jeonju was built in honor of Roman Catholic martyrs of the Joseon Dynasty on the very same spot the martyrs lost their lives. The land was purchased by French Priest Baudenet in 1891, but construction of the church did not begin until 1908. The church was designed by Priest Poinel, who also designed the famous Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul. Construction was completed in 1914, a time during which Korea was under Japanese rule. Though originally built just outside of Pungnammun Gate, the site of the martyrs, the church was later moved to its current location for expansion.

The first Romanesque building in the Honam(the southwestern section of Korea) region, the Jeondong Catholic Church was made of gray and red bricks and bears a striking resemblance to the Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul. Not only considered one of the most beautiful Catholic churches in Korea, some even go so far as to say it is one of the most beautiful structures in all of Korea, citing the church’s unique combination of Byzantine and Romanesque architectural styles. The rectangular building is topped with three Byzantine bell towers (to the right, center, and left) and boasts arched ceilings, several of which meet in the form of a cross.

Seems like a very important church!
Why don't you come and check out how beautiful it is? :)

Enjoy Hanok Village in Jeonju~

                                                    (picture source: tour Jeonju)

My hometown Jeonju has Hanok mauel which is a famous Korean traditional style house village. There are numerous of traditional houses huddled together. When I was young, the village was just an old place and no one had visited there. But now, after repair work, it became a tourist spot where so many people visit from all over the country.

This village was started to build around 1930. There is a gate called Pungnam Mun near the village. It was the entrance into the castle but it was pulled down because of Japanese merchanters. They had broken into the castle and constructed their houses their way. So, the ancestors started to build the houses in traditional way to resist them and maintain our own culture. The village has the spirit of people who had lived that in that time.

How to go?

When you arrive Jeonju Express bus terminal, there are taxis waiting for you. It takes just 10 min by car and you may pay about 5000 won if there is no traffic jam. You ask the driver to take you 'Hanok maeul' or 'Ohmok dae' where you can see the whole village in one place.

If you don't want to take a taxi, the closest bus stop is near the Jeonju river. You go left side from the terminal toward the river, and then cross the street. There are a bus stop on the left side. You can take the bus 5-1 and get off on Jeondong Seongdang, Hanuk maul(전동성당, 한옥마을).

In case of the Jeonju Intercity bus terminal, when you arrive there, just cross the street and you can see a bus stop. You take the bus 5-1 and get off the same way.

If you don't know, just ask

"Hanok Maeul uhdiro gayo?"

It means "Where is the hanok village?"

Perhaps, people will help you kindly.

When you go into the village, there are fascinating narrow streets between the houses. Beside the streets, there are some ditches with running water. And fancy cafes are lined up where you may take a rest a while. It's a great dating course for couples.

Among the cafe, there are a well known one named "외할머니 솜씨(Grandma's Cooking Skill)". You can enjoy different kinds of Korean style desserts in there. The most famous dessert is Patbingsu(red bean sherbet) with special toppings. Because the cafe is so popular, you might be wait long time to order the food.

When you walk along the street, you can meet some houses where you can experience traditional games or events at day time. However, I like there at night time though. Because I love to see a lot of colorful lights all around the village. Those beautiful lights you can enjoy just at night. 

Last year, MANNAM Jeonju branch has been visited this fascinating village with international members. We shared our thoughts about cultures through that tour. We all were happy to visit there and experience other traditional culture.

I want to share my culture to you.

And I'd like to know about your culture as well.

It is important to understand each other.

And it can make us friends.

Love will start from there. : )