A Fall Trip to Dangjin by Seohae Line Train: Visiting Solmoe Holy Ground
45-3 Songsan-ri, Ugang-myeon, Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Enjoying the beautiful autumn, the perfect season for travel, I took the Seohae Line train to Dangjin!
It was a day trip, but the entire day was filled with joy. Thanks to the support of 착한여행 6952 and Korea Railroad Corporation, I was able to enjoy this fall getaway.
Dangjin was a place that harmonized perfectly with the gentle autumn breeze. Many people visit Dangjin for pilgrimage tours. Even if you are not Catholic, it is worth visiting at least once to follow the historical footsteps of Father Andrew Kim Dae-geon, as it is his birthplace.
Solmoe Holy Ground
Address: 45-3 Songsan-ri, Ugang-myeon, Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Mass Times: 07:00, 11:00 (Daily)
Perhaps because it was the weekend, many people were visiting. From the three gates at the entrance, people were busy taking photos. It seemed many people were out enjoying the weekend with the clear weather.
Parking Information
The parking lot was incredibly large, big enough to have a separate area for large buses. I visited on Saturday, October 25th, and I heard there was a big event planned for the next day.
Guided Tour
Our group had pre-booked a guided tour. I thought it would be better to look around with the guide's explanations rather than just wandering around, and it turned out to be a great decision.
Our guide welcomed our group and started the tour. Other people joined us along the way, as some were unaware of the guided tour option.
The statue, vividly capturing the difficult journey, caught my eye. Even if you're not religious, it's worth listening to the story. I took a moment to appreciate the heart of Jesus, who willingly walked the path of suffering.
I was surprised by the size of the grounds. It would take at least two hours to see everything. Impressed by how well-maintained it was, I followed the guide to explore further.
I also saw an outdoor performance hall that doubles as a cathedral. Statues of the twelve apostles surrounded it, as if guarding the hall.
Next to the Jangdokdae (platform for crock pots), I saw a statue of Father Kim Dae-geon's mother. Beside it is Father Kim Dae-geon's birthplace. Many people were already listening to the explanation, so I moved on for a moment.
A statue of Father Kim Dae-geon is visible through the pine trees. The shade and fragrance of the trees were wonderful. Father Kim Dae-geon was selected as a UNESCO Memory of the World figure in 2021, which shows how great his achievements were.
This is the birthplace of Father Kim Dae-geon. It was restored after historical research. Pope Francis visited this place in 2014, and a bust was created to commemorate his visit.
Cathedral, Memorial Hall
This is the memorial hall. The history of Solmoe Holy Ground and various photos were on display. It was unique to see a small chapel created for visitors to pray.
I went into the cathedral and prayed for a moment, giving thanks for the opportunity to be there.
I went to the newly built cathedral. The stained-glass artwork was beautiful. I saw church members moving busily, preparing for the event that would take place the next day.
Solmoe Cafe
This is the cafe. The building next door sold local products and souvenirs. After touring the holy ground, it was a good place to relax and have a cup of tea.
If you go to the store on the opposite side of the cafe, you can find a variety of products. You can stop by as the last course on your way out to browse and buy what you need.
In addition to local specialties, souvenirs are also sold. The Father Kim Dae-geon mug is cute.
Visit Review
Many people visit Solmoe Holy Ground, Hapdeok Catholic Church, and Sinri Holy Ground as part of their Dangjin pilgrimage tour. I visited Sinri Holy Ground and Hapdeok Catholic Church last time, so I completed my pilgrimage properly this year. It is better to take the train than to drive on weekends, as it allows you to visit more places comfortably. You can take the Seohae Line train to Hapdeok Station, and then take the bus prepared by the travel agency for the rest of the itinerary, which saves a lot of time. Why not enjoy a fall trip with an affordable travel package without the stress of traffic jams?
Reference Video
Source :https://blog.naver.com/ekoh72/224058294996
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