Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine is a Catholic memorial on a hill beside the Han River in Seoul, near Hapjeong. The site commemorates Catholics killed during the 1866 persecution, including nine French missionaries. Inside the chapel, look up at the stained-glass ceiling and see the suspended crucifix; below it, an underground crypt holds the remains of 29 canonized saints. A museum traces the history of Korean Catholicism, and a small park has Stations of the Cross. Come for a quiet visit, a history lesson, or time for prayer.
A memorial beside the Han River
Jeoldusan, often translated as “Beheading Hill,” is a Catholic shrine on a bluff beside the Han River. It commemorates the Byeongin persecution of 1866, during which thousands of Korean Catholics were killed. The violence also followed the deaths of nine French missionaries. The hill became a place of execution, and the shrine now honors those who died for their faith.
The site’s history is part of a wider story of Catholicism in Korea. The museum on the grounds documents the early church and the persecution. Take time to read the displays before or after visiting the chapel and crypt; together, they connect the memorial’s religious purpose with the events it remembers.
The chapel and crypt
The chapel stands on the hill above the river. Its stained-glass ceiling draws the eye upward, while a suspended crucifix gives the interior a clear focal point. The building also includes a marble altar, a tabernacle and a bell tower decorated with an image of a martyr. The chapel was designed by Yi Hui-tae after the site was acquired in 1956; sculptor Kim Se-jung created several of these features.
Below the chapel, an underground crypt enshrines 29 Catholics who were canonized as saints. The quiet space is a place for prayer as well as remembrance. Visitors can also pause at the statue of Mary or the outdoor statue of St. Andrew Kim Taegon, a Korean Catholic saint.
Walking the grounds
The grounds include a small park with Stations of the Cross. Move through the site quietly, particularly near the chapel, statues and places of prayer. The shrine is close to Hapjeong station, around a 15-minute walk away; a taxi is another way to reach it.
Mass is held in the small chapel, and attending can be part of a visit for those who wish to take part. Services are in Korean, so check the shrine’s website for current information before planning around one. Allow time for the museum, chapel, crypt and outdoor memorials rather than treating the stop as a quick photo visit.
Perguntas frequentes
What is Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine?
It is a Catholic memorial in Seoul dedicated to people killed during the persecution of Korean Catholics, including the events of 1866.
What can you see at the shrine?
The grounds include a chapel, an underground crypt, a museum, statues and a small park with Stations of the Cross.
How do you get to Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine?
It is about a 15-minute walk from Hapjeong station. You can also take a taxi.
Is there a museum at the shrine?
Yes. The museum on the grounds covers the history of the Korean Catholic Church and the persecution.
