My recent trip to Seoul was at the back of my trip to Vegas. I extended a couple of days in Seoul to take a break and do some shopping for skincare products. I stayed at Myeong-dong, the shopping district. Myeong-dong is filled with shops and almost every other shop sells skin care and cosmetics. I was spoilt for choice. Besides shopping at Myeong-dong, I also visited the Myeong-dong Cathedral.
Myeong-dong Cathedral or formally known as The Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception is the first parish church in Korean and also an important symbol of the Korean Catholic Church. Myeong-dong was called “Myeong-rye-bang” during the Joseon Dynasty, the place where the very first Catholic community was formed in 1784.
Construction of Myeong-dong Cathedral began in 1887. On 8 May 1892, the cornerstone was laid. The church was dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception on 29 May 1898.
The church designed by Father Eugene J G Coste (1842 – 1896) became a model for all gothic-style churches in Korea. Since the church was built on a hill, the church could be seen from everywhere within Seoul in the earlier days.
The facade of the cathedral is Gothic style with no architecture adornments. The cathedral floor plan is cross-shaped, with the main building rising to 23 metre and the bell tower to 46.7 metre. The interior of arched side aisles, stained glass and other artworks.
Myeong-dong Cathedral marked a new beginning of the history of the Korean Catholic Church which had been under severe persecution for about a hundred years. As such, the Cathedral of the Seoul Archdiocese symbolizes the Catholic Church of Korea.
Formerly known as Jonghyeon Church, the church was renamed as Myeong-dong Church after the nation was liberated from the Japanese colonial rule in 1945.Besides its historical value, Myeong-dong Cathedral was designated as the 258th Historic Site of the nation on 22 November 1977.
After visiting the Myeong-dong Cathedral, I continued with my shopping for myself and friends at the shopping.
The Lowdown
Address: 74 Myeongdong-gil, Jeodong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Phone: +82 2-774-1784
For more information, do check out www.mdsd.or.kr .
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