Myeongdong is the first impression many tourists have of Seoul. The first thing tourists usually do here is exchange money. Next, they usually go eat something at the many must-visit restaurants and cafes and go shop around. Finally, they go to the Myeongdong Cathedral, one of the classics among the attractions in Myeongdong. We highly recommend you add it to your plans and stop by. 

Information

Address: 서울 중구 명동길 74
Seoul, Jung-gu, Myeongdong-gil 74

Hours: 
Myeongdong Cathedral: Weekdays 11:00 - 16:00; Sunday 13:00 - 15:00
Underground Sanctuary: 10:00 - 19:00 (English Mass held at 09:00 on Sundays)

Things to Keep In Mind

There is no entrance fee.

Food and photography are not allowed.

For more information go to the official website.

Our Visit

Myeongdong Cathedral

As the name suggests, "Myeongdong Cathedral" is located in Myeongdong. In addition to being the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul, it is also the birthplace of the Korean Catholic Church. On the ground floor is the "1898 Plus" plaza, and on the first floor is the main church of the Myeongdong Cathedral. Keep in mind that the two are not connected, so you will have to take the elevator to move between the two.

Completed in 1898, the Myeong Cathedral was built at 45 meters high and was the first Goethe-style building in Korea. You will be mesmerized even looking at it from afar. 

During the pandemic, the opening hours at Myeongdong Cathedral changed. Similarly, there aren't as many masses available for tourists as there used to be. Check out the times in the picture above, and for more information, go to the official website.

Source: Myeongdong Cathedral official website

The interior of the cathedral is made of grey and white stone bricks, making it classic in an elegant and solemn way. It is so quiet that you can hear your own footsteps as you walk the aisle towards the main altar. The high ceiling of the cathedral is arched and the stained glass windows depict biblical characters and scenes.

Source: Myeongdong Cathedral official website

Other than mass, Myeongdong Cathedral also holds weddings and funerals, which would be more solemn being held in a sacred atmosphere. It was also the venue for Chan Young's funeral, in the Korean drama "Thirty-nine".

In respect of the sanctity of the catholic religion, photography is prohibited indoors. There is also an underground chapel that can be accessed, where the bodies of 5 martyr saints and 9 martyrs lie to rest. 

The entrance to the burying place is made of glass and lays 9 religious bodies, so it is necessary to be respectful and keep quiet. 

At the rear of the church, there is a small garden with a statue of the Virgin Mary. By the statue, bouquets are placed by worshippers, who seem pious. 

On the left side of the Myeongdong Cathedral is the priest's dormitory. The frontier is decorated with green foliage and stands a memorial statue of the first Korean-born Catholic priest and martyred priest, Kim Dae-jon. 

On the right side of the church is a souvenir shop that sells products relating to the Myeongdong Cathedral, such as books, magnets, CDs, decorations, and more. 

Even if you're not religious, walking around the Cathedral and listening to music can bring you peace. 

Source: Naver Nachive

The Myeongdong Cathedral is open for free admission every day, and there is an English Mass every Sunday. On Christmas Eve, there is a grand event that attracts a large crowd, most of which are believers. In the past, an LED Rose Lantern festival was held and was a must-see among tourists. 

Although it is located on a slope, it is easy to walk up. On your next trip to Myeongdong, stop by after a meal for a walk. 

1898 Plus

Address: 서울 중구 명동길 74 B1
Seoul, Jung-gu, Myeongdong-gil 74 B1

Myeongdong "1898 Plus" is a plaza located on the basement floor of the Myeongdong Cathedral. It is named after the year the cathedral was built. It is a space with various shops such as flower shops, eateries, cafes, and more. 

In the vacant space, new exhibitions are displayed occasionally. When we visited, there was an exhibition about the culture of 'donating rice and gold'. Through the exhibition, it united the people and religion despite different values. 

The warm-toned lighting makes the 1898 plaza cozier. There is also an electronic donation collector in the plaza. You can donate and express your gratitude to the church through donations made through your credit card, which is very convenient. 

There are many small shops that sell cute goods, such as knick-knacks related to the cathedral. 

There are stationery items, fragrances, bags, hair accessories, and other products. Look around and you may find new treasures by luck. 

On the other side of the plaza, there are cafes and restaurants. It can get crowded in the afternoon on weekdays, so keep that in mind. You can come take a rest at one of the cafes before your next stop.

At the end of the hallway, there are two exhibition rooms, each of which displays different exhibitions. The exhibitions change after a period of time, but when we visited, there was an exhibition devoted to Ukraine called, "Pray for Peace in Ukraine". The poster of the exhibition that can be seen even at a distance, is of a girl crying and is painted blue and yellow, in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. 

Previously, Seoul Tower, DDP Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and other locations have shown their support for Ukraine by lighting up their buildings in the colors blue and yellow. 

How to Get to Myeongdong Cathedral

Directions: Walk for about 10 minutes from either Euljiro 3-ga Station Exit 12, Euljiro Entrance Station Exit 5, or Myeongdong Station Exit 6 and you will arrive at the cathedral. 

Go straight from Euljiro 3-ga Station Exit 12

Turn left after crossing the road

Go straight and turn right at the first corner

Turn right and walk 100 meters, and you will finally see the Myeongdong Cathedral on your left. 

 More Information on Myeongdong 

We hope that you can enjoy your time here at Myeongdong Cathedral! If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment below or send us an email at help@creatrip.com! You can follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea!