Nestled in the heart of Seoul’s historic Jeong-dong district, the Sontag Hotel, later nicknamed Sseon Motel, witnessed a fascinating era. Originally built in 1902, the Sseon Motel wasn’t always a motel. It began as a grand hotel, a hub for foreign dignitaries and socialites. Antoinette Sontag, a close confidante of the Korean monarchy, managed this elegant establishment. The Sseon Motel became a symbol of Korea’s embrace of Western culture. Its very walls echoed with stories of lavish banquets and political intrigue. Imagine Winston Churchill, perhaps even Mark Twain, gracing its halls. The hotel even boasted Korea’s first hotel dabang, a precursor to the modern Korean cafe. Sseon Motel’s story reflects the changing tides of Korean history. From its glamorous beginnings to its eventual transformation into a school dormitory, the Sseon Motel played a unique role. It served as a silent observer to Korea’s journey through modernization and its struggle for sovereignty. The Sseon Motel may be gone, replaced by a memorial hall. Yet its legacy lives on, woven into the fabric of Seoul’s rich tapestry.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to