Gongpyeong Historic Sites Museum
About This Museum
Tucked away in the bustling Jongno District, just a stone's throw from Seoul's modern skyscrapers, the Gongpyeong Historic Sites Museum is a portal to the city's layered past. You literally walk over history here, as the museum is built around the actual excavated remains of homes, workshops, and streets from the Joseon Dynasty. It’s not just looking at artifacts behind glass; it’s feeling the texture of old stone foundations and imagining the lives that unfolded on these very spots. This place completely redefines an urban excavation, turning a construction site discovery into a captivating journey.
Collection Highlights
The star of the show is the vast open excavation pit showing original structures from different eras. You'll see everything from a Joseon-era metal workshop and a kiln to personal belongings like pottery and coins left behind by residents centuries ago.
Visitor Information
Entry is free, which is an incredible bonus. It's super easy to find at 26 Ujeongguk-ro in Jongno-gu, right near Exit 5 of Jonggak Station. Perfect for a one-hour cultural deep dive between shopping or cafe hopping.
Architecture & Building
The building itself is strikingly modern with lots of glass and steel, designed specifically to encase and showcase the archaeological ruins beneath it, creating a powerful contrast between old and new.
