Seoul Hanseong Baekje Museum: A Journey Back to Ancient Seoul

#cityplaybook Tucked away in the beautiful Olympic Park in Seoul, the Seoul Hanseong Baekje Museum offers a fascinating look into a less-known but very important part of Korean history: the Baekje Kingdom, especially when Seoul was its capital, known as Hanseong. My visit here was a pleasant surprise and a great way to learn about the past. First off, the museum building itself is quite striking. It's designed to look like the earthen walls of the old Hanseong Baekje Fortress (Mongchontoseong Fortress), which is actually right there in Olympic Park. This smart design makes you feel like you're already stepping back in time. The inside is modern, clean, and well-lit, making it easy and comfortable to walk through. The museum mainly focuses on the early Baekje period, from when it was founded until the capital moved south. It's truly amazing to see how Seoul, a bustling modern city, was once the heart of a powerful ancient kingdom. The exhibits do a great job of showing what life was like back then. You'll see everyday tools, weapons, pottery, and even special items that belonged to kings and nobles. One of the best things about this museum is how it explains history. They use a good mix of artifacts, dioramas (small 3D scenes), and multimedia displays. There are clear explanations in both Korean and English, which is super helpful for international visitors. I particularly enjoyed the detailed models of the old city and the fortress, which really brought the ancient kingdom to life. It's a great place to understand how people lived, what their homes looked like, and how they built their society. The museum isn't huge, which means it's easy to explore without feeling overwhelmed. You can comfortably see everything in about 1-2 hours, depending on how much detail you want to read. This also makes it a great add-on if you're already visiting Olympic Park, especially after checking out the SOMA Museum. The staff were friendly and the museum felt well-maintained. Plus, it's generally free to enter, which is a fantastic bonus and makes it very accessible for everyone. For families with kids, this museum can be quite engaging. The visual displays and models are easy for younger visitors to understand, and it's a good way to introduce them to Korean history in a hands-on way. Important Note: While the museum is excellent at showing the history of Baekje in Seoul, it's important to know that much of what is displayed are replicas or reconstructions, as original artifacts from such an ancient period are extremely rare and fragile. However, these reproductions are very well done and provide a solid educational experience. #historicallandmarks #museum