My Visit to the Seoul City Wall Museum

#cityplaybook My solo trip to Seoul led me to some unexpected gems, and among them, the Seoul City Wall Museum truly stood out. Located conveniently within Heunginjimun City Wall Park, it was easy to find and offered a wonderfully peaceful experience – a rare find even in bustling Seoul. I started my exploration of the city wall, and upon descending from a section of the park, I found myself directly connected to the museum's second floor entrance. This was a great starting point, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of the city wall's history and significance before continuing my walk along the Hanyangdoseong Fortress Wall. The museum is well-organized with permanent and special exhibition halls, as well as a data room, offering a wealth of information. The museum itself is not overly reliant on models; instead, it features numerous textual exhibits that greatly aided my comprehension of the fortress wall. It's truly fascinating to see photographs of the ancient city wall, some dating back to its construction in 1396, and to realize how it has endured through 600 years, safeguarding Seoul. The museum effectively conveys the rich cultural heritage embodied by this historical structure. One particularly interesting section detailed the reconstruction of Souimun (Seosomun), one of the city's gates. While officially named Souimun, it was more commonly known as Seosomun and was historically a place of execution for Catholics and followers of the Jonghakgyo religion. The exhibition showcased a "Four Great Gates" display, illustrating the bustling area around Souimun where goods were transported and people congregated, eventually forming Chilpae Market in the late Joseon Dynasty. It was quite a coincidence, as I had recently visited the Seosomun Shrine Museum and passed through the very spot where Chilpae Market once thrived. While I couldn't fully appreciate the inner appearance of the city wall from the front, climbing up to Heunginjimun Park offered a more detailed view. Although a previous winter trip hindered my ability to fully enjoy Seoul's outdoor activities due to expressway conditions, this visit to the Seoul City Wall Museum reminded me that there are indeed many wonderful places for solo travelers to enjoy in Seoul. For those planning a visit, the Hanyangdoseong Museum is open from 09:00 to 18:00 and offers free admission, with Mondays being its closing day. It's a highly recommended stop for anyone interested in delving into Seoul's rich history and architectural heritage. #seoultrip #museum