[Seoul] Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)
Hello! Here is the detailed information for ‘Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)’.
💡 Overview
Seodaemun Prison was built under the Japanese administration to imprison independence movement activists. It first opened on October 21, 1908 under the name Gyeongseong Prison. Eventually, so many activists were imprisoned that the building had to be expanded. At that time, the name changed to Seodaemun Prison on September 3, 1912. Eighty years later, the prison was turned into Seodaemun Independence Park on August 15, 1992 to commemorate the Korean patriots who were tortured in prison, giving their lives for freedom. Of the many buildings, only seven were preserved for their historical significance, among which three prison buildings and the execution site were designated as a Historic Site. In 1998, the park underwent another transformation into today’s Seodaemun Prison History Hall to educate the public on the importance of Korea’s independence and the sacrifices of those who fought to achieve it.
📋 Detailed Information
| 📍 Address | 251 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Zipcode: 03732) |
|---|---|
| 🌐 Website | sphh.sscmc.or.kr |
| Operating Hours | March-October 09:30-18:00 November-February 09:30-17:00 * Last admission 30 min before closing |
| Day Off | Mondays (closed the following business day if Monday is a public holiday), January 1, the day of Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) |
| Usage Fee | Individuals – Adults 3,000 won / Teenagers 1,500 won / Children 1,000 won Groups – Adults 2,400 won / Teenagers 1,200 won / Children 800 won * Free admission: Preschoolers (ages 6 & under), senior citizens (ages 65 & over) |
| Parking | Available (Seodaemun-gu Independence Park Parking Lot) |
| Parking Fee | [Independence Parking Lot] Large vehicles: 900 won per 10 min Small & mid-sized vehicles: 300 won per 10 min |
| Tour Duration | Approx. 1 hr – 1 hr 30 min |
| Inquiries and Information | +82-2-360-8590 |
📝 Additional Information
[Foreign Language Intepretation Services]
Docent tour available
– Reservation required one week before visiting
– Available in English, Japanese, and Chinese
– Groups: 20 people or fewer
– Refer to the website for more info
📍 Nearby Attractions
Gwanghwamun Market (광화문 마켓)Distance: 1.9km | B172 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Daeo Bookstore (대오서점) 🔗Distance: 1.4km | 55 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Olivine Spa (올리바인 스파) 🔗Distance: 244m | 4-1 Tongil-ro 16-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
The Painters Season 2(페인터즈 시즌2)Distance: 1.4km | 3 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
The Street in front of Cheongwadae (The Blue House) (청와대 앞길) 🔗Distance: 1.9km | Gungjeong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
K-Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전)Distance: 2.0km | 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (수문장 교대의식)Distance: 2.0km | 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tongin Market (통인시장)Distance: 1.5km | 18 Jahamun-ro 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관) 🔗Distance: 1.4km | 55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길) 🔗Distance: 1.9km | 24 Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Source: Korea Tourism Organization
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