Seoul (South korea) Explored: 12 Must-See historical museums to Add to Your Bucket List
Welcome to Seoul (South korea) . Whether you’re a local or a visitor, we have a carefully curated list of 12 must-see historical museums that will inspire your sense of adventure. If you’re looking to experience Seoul (South korea) like a local, we’ve got you covered with 12 hidden historical museums gems waiting to be discovered. And for those who crave excitement, we’ve compiled 12 thrilling historical museums that will get your heart racing.
Information about Seoul (South korea)
Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, and it is world-famous for being a city of modern skyscrapers, ancient Buddhist temples, popular culture, bustling markets, lush gardens, high mountains, and authentic ancient architecture. It is also the commercial and cultural center of the country, and has worked hard over the past years to become an urban model. Attractive to gardens, culture and design, today it abounds with picturesque gardens, wide green spaces, elegant shops, trendy restaurants and cafes, and although it is a modern and technologically pioneering city, the fragrant past also smells of it in the sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and interesting historical and archaeological monuments.
A list of the best Historical museums in Seoul
Discover the top historical museums destinations in Seoul (South korea) with our hand-picked list, chosen with care by our expert team based on the feedback and ratings from previous visitors. Let us help you plan the perfect trip.
1- Gahoe Museum
Gahoe Museum – The Gaho Museum is a museum of Korean folk art, established by Yoon Yeolsu, and its exhibits include a special collection of folk paintings and popular religious amulets, and there are also more than 2,000 arts and crafts on display, as the museum aims to display and preserve Korean folk art Visitors can also participate in workshops and take lessons in folk painting at the museum.
Place address: 52 Bukchon-ro, Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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2- The War and Women’s Human Rights Museum
The War and Women’s Human Rights Museum – Completed in 2012, the Museum of War and Women’s Rights sheds light on the traumatic experiences of “comfort women” during World War II, through the use of important exhibits and archival materials, and tells the story of the abduction of up to 200,000 women and children from Korea, Japan, China, the Philippines, and Thailand, and their experiences. He was deceived and coerced into forced labor in military brothels or “rest stations” as they were known in Japan and the Japanese occupied countries. The museum is divided into three floors, each area presenting a different aspect of the story of these women. The museum’s holdings include video clips, personal audio testimonies, and photos. written documents and other materials, and the exhibition space ends with tour guides discussing the current “haloni” movement that includes the weekly protests that take place outside the Japanese Embassy and the ongoing legal issues for recognition and monetary compensation.
Place address: 20 World cup buk-ro 11-gil, Seongsan 1(il)-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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3- Seodaemun Prison History Hall
Seodaemun Prison History Hall – Seodaemun Prison was used to train Korean patriots during the Japanese occupation until the liberation of Korea on August 15, 1945. The historical museum was opened in this place in November 1998 to commemorate the patriots who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for Korean independence during the Japanese occupation. The museum consists of an exhibition hall Historic, central prison, prison cells, hospital, national memorial, execution room, tunnel through which corpses were carried, watchtower, torture and murder rooms.
Place address: 251 Tongil-ro, Hyeonjeo-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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4- National Museum of Korea
National Museum of Korea – The National Museum of Korea is home to the best collection of history and culture deeply rooted within the Korean people. Its exhibits include nearly 420,000 artifacts collected over thousands of years, including a simple Paleolithic hand axe, a magnificent golden crown from the Three Kingdoms period, and pottery. Paintings dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, as well as images of Korea and a variety of different regions and cultures around the world, the museum also offers realistic digital animation and VR technology to provide a more impactful experience.
Place address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Seobinggo-dong, Yongsan-gu, 서울특별시 South Korea
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5- National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
National Museum of Korean Contemporary History – The National Museum of Contemporary Korean History houses exhibitions spanning modern Korean history. It is the first national museum of contemporary history in the country. It has eight floors with many facilities, including four permanent exhibition halls, two special exhibition halls, classrooms, lecture halls, and a garden. On the roof, a souvenir shop and a coffee shop, the four permanent exhibitions cover different periods of Korean history, and there are more than 1,500 artifacts and historical documents in them.
Place address: 198 Sejong-daero, Jongno 1(il).2(i).3(sam).4(sa), Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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6- Jeoldusan Martyrs Shrine
Jeoldusan Martyrs Shrine – Goldosan Martyrs Shrine is a Catholic shrine on the Han River dedicated to those who lost their lives during the Byeonjin Persecution of 1866. In late 1866, nine French missionaries were martyred. This caused two attempts to invade Korea by a French fleet. After the invasion attempts, the Joseon government brutally punished, targeted, and killed many Indigenous French and Korean Roman Catholics, the place became known as “Beheading Mountain”. In 1962, a memorial was erected in honor of those executed here, and in 1967, a church and museum were built in honor of the centenary of the persecution.
Place address: 6 Tojeong-ro, Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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7- Seoul Museum of History
Seoul Museum of History – The Seoul Museum of History is the only museum in Korea that represents the history and culture of the city at its origins. Since its establishment at the former site of Gyeonghoeggung Palace in 2002, the museum has offered visitors the opportunity to experience 600 years of historical Seoul culture through interactive exhibits. The three-story museum is divided thematically. into three main exhibition areas, including a special exhibition area, a permanent exhibition area, and a hall displaying collections donated by the public.
Place address: 55 Saemunan-ro, Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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8- Seoul Hanseong Baekje Museum
Seoul Hanseong Baekje Museum – The Seoul Hanseong Baekje Museum is a history museum built on a prehistoric site that includes relics from the Baekje era in Songpa-gu, Seoul. It aims to preserve and study the remains of the prehistoric Kingdom of Baekje and Korea. Visitors can learn more about The history of Korea in the four-dimensional theater and numerous exhibition halls. The museum also contains a wide range of interesting artifacts. There are also educational programs that allow learning about the history and cultures of ancient Korea.
Place address: 71 Wiryeseong-daero, Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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9- Seoul City Wall Museum
Seoul City Wall Museum – The Seoul City Wall was built in 1396, and it has protected the city for more than 600 years, and although some of its parts were demolished during the modernization processes, it has preserved its original shape well to be classified as a valuable cultural landmark, and the Seoul City Wall Museum is located inside a park Dongdaemin, and displays historical artifacts related to the city’s transformation, and has a permanent exhibition hall, a special exhibition hall, an information center, and a multi-purpose lecture room.
Place address: 283 Yulgok-ro, Jongno 6(yuk)-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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10- Cheonggyecheon Museum
Cheonggyecheon Museum – The Cheonggyecheon Museum documents the history of the Cheonggyecheon Stream area. Its building has six floors. The museum consists of a permanent exhibition hall, a special exhibition hall, a hall for cultural events, and educational facilities in which it offers classes on the history and environment of the stream. The building itself features a tall glass exterior and is designed in a way that symbolizes To the flowing waters of the stream, it is worth noting that admission to the museum is free for all.
Place address: 530 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Majang-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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11- Lotte World Folk Museum
Lotte World Folk Museum – The Lotte World Folk Museum highlights Korean folk culture through miniature displays. It is located in the Lotte World Tower. Visitors can enjoy seeing typical villages from different periods of history. There is also a handicraft room where visitors can see traditional crafts that are made in Korea. The museum also has an educational facility for children that runs various programs suitable for children during the school holidays.
Place address: 40-1 Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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12- National Hangeul Museum
National Hangeul Museum – Hangul National Museum showcases the history of the Hangul writing system, the Korean alphabet created by King Sejong the Great in the 15th century. Visitors can learn about the Korean language and written words through fun and educational exhibits, historical and cultural artifacts, and much more. The museum’s “Hangul Playground” offers fun hands-on activities that can help children learn the alphabet, and visitors who want to learn Korean can easily become proficient in it after spending some time in the museum’s learning center.
Place address: 139 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsandong 6(yuk)-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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Conclusion
We hope our guide has inspired you to explore the wonders of Seoul (South korea) . Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in this amazing region. From stunning natural landscapes to rich cultural heritage, Seoul (South korea) has it all. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Don’t forget to share your experiences with us and tag us on social media using #ExploreSeoul (South korea) . We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you!