- 1–2 hrs
Highlights
- 성 김대건 신부 생가(1821년 출생)
- 4대에 걸친 순교자의 마을
- 유해를 모신 기념성당과 기념관
- 소나무 숲과 십자가의 길
- 2014년 프란치스코 교황 방문
- 국가 사적, 입장 무료
About this place
Solmoe, meaning "a small hill thick with pines", is the birthplace of St Andrew Kim Dae-geon, the first Korean Catholic priest. Four generations of his family, from his great-grandfather to Kim himself, lived here and died as martyrs, and the village site is now a shrine with his restored birth house, a pine forest, a memorial church and a museum. Since Pope Francis came here in 2014, pilgrims from Korea and abroad have arrived in growing numbers.
History: a village of four generations of martyrs
Kim Dae-geon was born here on 21 August 1821 and lived at Solmoe until he was seven, when the family followed his grandfather to Golbaemasil in Yongin to escape persecution. His great-grandfather Kim Jin-hu (martyred 1814), his great-uncle Kim Han-hyeon (1816), his father Kim Je-jun (1839) and Kim Dae-geon himself (1846) all died for their faith.
Chosen as a seminarian, Kim studied in Macau, was ordained by Bishop Ferréol at the Gimgahang church in Shanghai in 1845 and returned to Korea that October. The following year, in September 1846, he was executed at Saenamteo in Seoul at the age of 26 by Korean reckoning. He was canonised by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Korea in May 1984.
The site was designated a provincial monument in 1998 and upgraded to a national Historic Site, the "Site of Father Kim Dae-geon in Solmoe Village, Dangjin", in September 2014.
What to see
- Kim Dae-geon's birth house: a tile-roofed house in front of the pine grove. Pope Francis prayed here.
- Pine forest: true to the name, tall pines shade the grounds, with a statue of Kim Dae-geon and a memorial tower among them.
- Way of the Cross: a path through the woods with the fourteen Stations of the Cross.
- Memorial church and museum: the church holds relics of Kim Dae-geon, and the museum covers his life and the history of Solmoe in detail.
- Solmoe Arena: an amphitheatre that doubles as an open-air church for large gatherings and outdoor Masses.
Good to know
- Solmoe lies at the heart of Naepo, long regarded as the finest land in Chungcheong.
- In August 2014, during his visit to Korea, Pope Francis came to Solmoe and prayed in front of Kim Dae-geon's birth house.
Nearby
- Hapdeok Catholic Church: a church in the same Dangjin area, easy to combine with Solmoe on a pilgrimage.
- Haemieupseong Fortress, Seosan: a Joseon-era walled town about 24 km southwest.
- Rock-carved Buddha Triad in Yonghyeon-ri, Seosan: about 17 km away, a Baekje carving known as "the smile of Baekje".
Tripto tips
- Visiting: the shrine is open every day, admission is free and there is parking. Mass is celebrated at 07:00 and 11:00; groups wishing to attend Mass must book ahead.
- Etiquette: many people come here to pray. Keep quiet around the church and birth house, and avoid taking photos during Mass.
- Facilities: a pilgrims' restaurant and a retreat house for around 100 people.
- Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours for the house, forest and museum; add about 30 minutes for the Way of the Cross.
- Information: 041-362-5021.
Plan your visit
Getting there
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