Amidst Seoul’s bustling Olympic Park lies a treasure trove of history the Mongchon Museum of History. Opened in January 1992 the Mongchon Museum of History safeguards relics from the Baekje Dynasty. These artifacts illuminate Seoul’s past as a capital city for over 2000 years.
Before us stands the Mongchon Museum of History a gateway to the past. It is a place where the best known relics and remains of the Baekje culture can be seen at one time. Most people know Mongchontoseong Earthen Fortification. It was one of Baekje’s major fortresses during the Hanseong Era. Six rounds of investigations from 1983 to 1989 uncovered a vast number of relics. These included a settlement site storage pits and earthenware.
The Mongchon Museum of History houses these traces of our ancestors. Upon entering your eyes are drawn to the settlement site of the Hanseong Baekje Era. This era dominated the Han River areas including Amsa-dong Myeongil-dong and Yeaksam-dong. Models of ancient tombs are also on display.
In the center of the Mongchon Museum of History the flair of the Baekje Era radiates. A Mongchontoseong Earthen Fortification model stands firm. It is surrounded by earthenware whetstones and net sinkers. These items reveal images of life in those times.
While some are models the stone animals excavated in Gongju and Buyeo are fascinating. Baekje relics that went to Japan such as ornaments Gilt-bronze shoes Pensive Bodhisattva and Seven Branched Sword are also on display. The Exhibition Hall of Baekje Settlement Site is a highlight. It is a perfectly preserved ancient housing site from the Baekje Era discovered in Mongchontoseong Earthen Fortification. The exterior of the settlement site transports you back to the Hanseong Baekje Era.
The Mongchon Museum of History invites visitors to explore the splendid history and culture of the Baekje period. It displays various models of relics and remains. These include an old residential area a complex of Baekje tombs and the Mongchontoseong Earthen Fortification. Mongchontoseong Earthen Fortification is considered one of the most important relics of Hanam Wiryeseong. Hanam Wiryeseong is assumed to be an early capital of Baekje. Therefore the location of the Mongchon Museum of History offers a living education of history.
Before leaving take a moment to appreciate that admission is free. The Mongchon Museum of History is open from 9 AM to 6 PM but closed on Mondays and January 1st. For group tours consider watching the short film screened upon reservation. The Mongchon Museum of History is more than just a museum. It is a portal to another time. It allows us to understand and appreciate the rich history of the Baekje people who once thrived here. As you exit the Mongchon Museum of History carry with you a deeper appreciation for Seoul’s layered past and the enduring legacy of the Baekje Dynasty.