Samseonghyeol

In the middle of Jeju City, between roads and hotels, lies a quiet grove of old trees. On the lawn inside are three shallow hollows, and for centuries Jeju people have believed that the island's history began here. Samseonghyeol, the "cave of the three clans", is the sacred site where the three founders of the ancient kingdom of Tamna are said to have emerged from the ground.

The myth: three men from the earth

Long ago Jeju had no people, until three divine men, Go Eul-na, Yang Eul-na and Bu Eul-na, rose from these three holes. They lived by hunting and wore animal skins. One day a wooden chest washed up on the east coast; inside were three princesses, along with foals, calves and the seeds of five grains. Tradition says the princesses came from a land called Byeongnang, though one old record names a different country. The three men married the princesses, shot arrows to decide where each would live, and began farming and raising animals, which became the start of the Tamna kingdom.

The holes are also called Moheunghyeol. Descendants of the Go, Yang and Bu clans still honour the site as the birthplace of their ancestors.

History: five centuries of rites

Official rites began in 1526, when the Jeju magistrate Yi Su-dong had descendants of the three clans hold ceremonies here. The Sameulnamyo shrine followed in 1698, a hall for preparing offerings in 1827 and Sungbodang in 1849. The order of the three founders' spirit tablets was debated for a long time; in the early 18th century Yang Eul-na was placed first. The site was designated a national Historic Site on 10 June 1964.

What to see

• The three holes: they sit within a lawn ringed by low stone posts. It is said that the branches of the old trees around them all lean towards the holes, as if bowing.
• The ritual area: the stone altar and memorial stones in front of the holes and the shrine holding the spirit tablets.
• Exhibition hall and video room: an animated film tells the myth, easy to follow for children and foreign visitors, with leaflets in English, Japanese and Chinese.
• Woodland paths: centuries-old trees make it feel far from the city, and the mood changes with each season.

Good to know

Spring and autumn rites are held every year, with a winter rite as well. A separate ceremony honours the three princesses. During the Tamna Cultural Festival and the provincial sports games, rites and the lighting of the flame also take place here.

Nearby

• Jeju Folklore & Natural History Museum: right next door, a natural follow-up on Jeju's nature and everyday history.
• Sinsan Park: a city park close by for a longer walk.
• Honinji: the pond where the founders are said to have married the princesses, in Seongsan in the east of the island. A stop there completes the story.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: open every day, 09:00–18:00, ticket sales close at 17:30. On 1 January and at Seollal and Chuseok it opens at 10:00.
• Admission: adults KRW 4,000, youth and soldiers KRW 2,500, children and seniors KRW 1,500.
• Parking: on site, free for visitors for 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Time needed: 40 minutes to an hour including the exhibition hall. If your visit coincides with a rite, the atmosphere is quite different.