North Chungcheong Province

Discovering the Hwang Sa-yeong Silk Letter Cave and Korea’s First Seminary at Baeron Holy Ground

Baeron Holy Ground is a Catholic historical site in Jecheon, where a Catholic faith community formed by believers seeking refuge from persecution once gathered. It preserves the Hwang Sa-yeong Silk Letter Cave, St. Joseph Seminary, and the tomb of Father Choi Yang-eop Thomas. Bus Route 852 is available from Jecheon Bus Terminal, and it is best to allow half a day to explore the grounds.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Sep 2, 2026 19 min 182

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Guhakcheon Valley Resembling the Bottom of a Boat: Baeron Holy Ground

Baeron Holy Ground is a Catholic historic site located in Guhak-ri, Bongyang-eup, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do. The name “Baeron” originated from the village valley’s resemblance to the bottom of a boat. Guhakcheon, an upper stream of Jecheoncheon, flows through the center of the holy ground, while 903-meter-high Juronsan Mountain rises to the west, creating a place where major historic remains can be explored together within the valley.

This place is not limited to a worship space solely for Catholics. The Korea Tourism Organization introduces it as a place where anyone can walk through the valley and meditate, suggesting about half a day for the full visit. However, visitors should dress and groom themselves neatly and maintain a quiet, respectful attitude in keeping with the religious nature of the site.

배론성지의 골짜기와 성지 경관을 보여주는 사진입니다. — A photograph showing the valley and scenery of Baeron Holy Ground. — Photo source: baeron.or.kr

An Onggi Catholic Community Formed from 1791

Catholics began living in the Baeron area around the time of the Sinhae Persecution in 1791 through the Sinyu Persecution in 1801. Believers who hid here to escape persecution mainly made onggi pottery to support themselves, and from the 1800s, Catholics fleeing persecution gathered to form an old Catholic community.

Therefore, today’s Baeron Holy Ground should be understood not as a place centered on a single memorial building, but as a settlement created through the combination of the mountainous valley’s terrain and the livelihoods of its Catholic residents. The site was designated Chungcheongbuk-do Monument No. 118 in 2001.

배론성지의 역사적 경관을 담은 사진입니다. — A photograph capturing the historic scenery of Baeron Holy Ground. — Photo source: cbck.or.kr

Hwang Sa-yeong’s Underground Hideout for the 1801 Silk Letter

Hwang Sa-yeong Alexius left Seoul in February 1801 and made his way to Baeron via Yecheon in Gyeongsang-do and Gangwon-do. He wrote the Silk Letter in an underground chamber at Baeron in August 1801, and was arrested there with Kim Han-bin on September 29 before being taken to Seoul. The letter was also confiscated.

Hwang Sa-yeong’s Silk Letter was written in fine brushwork on silk fabric and consists of 122 lines and 13,384 characters, measuring 62 cm wide by 40 cm high. The original is currently kept at the Vatican Ethnological Museum in Rome, so what visitors see at Baeron is not the original itself but the underground chamber and the commemorative space dedicated to it. Official information does not specify the extent of interior access, whether photography is permitted, or whether English explanations or audio guides are available.

The Site Left by St. Joseph Seminary, Established in 1855

Jang Ju-gi Joseph moved to Baeron with his family in 1843. Later, French missionary Father Maistre founded St. Joseph Seminary in 1855, and education continued from 1855 to 1866. This seminary was the first seminary of the Korean Church and also the first modern theological educational institution in Joseon.

Education was divided into Latin and theology departments, with rhetoric, philosophy, and theology taught in the theology department. Father Pourthié served as principal from 1856, while Father Petitnicolas served as a professor from 1862 to 1866. Since St. Joseph Seminary continued until the Byeongin Persecution in 1866, the present building is a key historic site showing the history of the early seminary interrupted by persecution.

성 요셉 신학당을 보여주는 배론성지 사진입니다. — A photograph of Baeron Holy Ground showing St. Joseph Seminary. — Photo source: cbck.or.kr

Eleven Years and Six Months Leading to Father Thomas Choe Yang-eop’s Tomb

Baeron Holy Ground contains the tomb of Venerable Father Thomas Choe Yang-eop. Father Choe Yang-eop lived from 1821 to 1861 and was ordained in Shanghai, China, on April 15, 1849. After returning to Korea, he ministered for 11 years and 6 months, visiting Catholics in remote mountainous areas.

His pastoral district covered five provinces, including Jeolla-do, Gyeongsang-do, and Chungcheong-do, with approximately 6,000 believers and 127 Catholic worship stations. After completing his missionary work in Gyeongsang-do on June 15, 1861, Father Choe Yang-eop died of overwork in Mungyeong while traveling to Seoul. Around November of the same year, Bishop Berneux had him buried at Baeron. The Memorial Church of Father Choe Yang-eop and a sculpture park are located around the tomb.

최양업 토마스 신부 묘와 기념 공간을 담은 사진입니다. — A photograph showing Father Thomas Choe Yang-eop’s tomb and memorial spaces. — Photo source: cbck.or.kr

Planning a Visit Around the 11 a.m. Pilgrim Mass

The main page of Baeron Holy Ground’s official website states that the site is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Another official information page lists the grounds’ access hours as 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., so the times differ. The essentials section uses the main-page hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; visitors arriving late in the afternoon may find it difficult to see all the major facilities.

The pilgrim Mass is held daily at 11 a.m., and confessions are offered 30 minutes before Mass. Mass at the Dominican cloistered monastery of the Mother of God is held at 6:15 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. on Sundays. Groups requiring a pilgrimage or site-guidance service should contact the office in advance at 043-651-4527.

배론성지의 성당과 종교 시설을 보여주는 사진입니다. — A photograph showing the church and religious facilities at Baeron Holy Ground. — Photo source: baeron.or.kr

Taking Bus 852 from Jecheon Bus Terminal

For first-time foreign visitors, Jecheon Bus Terminal is a practical starting point. Baeron Holy Ground’s official information lists Bus 852 between Jecheon (Civic Center) and Baeron Holy Ground, with the following departures and arrivals: 8:50 a.m. to 9:20 a.m., 1:10 p.m. to 1:40 p.m., and 6:50 p.m. to 7:20 p.m.

Since this route is not presented as having frequent service, the most direct itinerary for arriving by the 9 a.m. opening time is to take the 8:50 a.m. bus. The 6:50 p.m. bus arrives after the holy ground’s stated opening hours and is therefore unsuitable for sightseeing access. At the entrance, use the designated parking lot; the number of available spaces and parking fees have not been confirmed.

Know in Advance That Admission Is Free and Certain Restrictions Apply

According to Jecheon tourism information, admission to Baeron Holy Ground is free. The official website’s main telephone number is 043-651-4527, and the address is 296 Baeronseongjigil, Bongyang-eup, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 27110. The official website is http://www.baeron.or.kr.

The holy ground’s own closing days have not been confirmed separately, but the Prayer School retreat information lists hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and indicates that it is closed on Mondays. The Prayer School inquiry number is 043-651-4563. Pets are not permitted, and games, drinking, singing, dancing, and cooking should be avoided within the holy ground. Official information does not confirm whether there is a ticket office, whether payment is cash-only, whether photography is prohibited, whether English information or audio guides are available, or the walking distances and degree of stairs and inclines to the main facilities.

Barrier-Free Facilities and the Holy Ground Today

The Korea Tourism Organization’s information lists an accessible restroom, an elevator for visitors with disabilities, designated accessible parking, a step-free main entrance, low-floor bus access, wheelchair rental, convenience services for visitors with visual or hearing impairments, a nursing room, accessible guest rooms, and stroller rental. However, it does not separately state whether the walking paths throughout the broad valley are uniformly level, so visitors may find it safer to divide the route between the underground chamber, tomb, and sculpture park with a companion.

Baeron Holy Ground includes the Cultural and Spirituality Research Institute and Bishop Ji Hak-sun Memorial Hall, which opened on March 12, 2011, as well as the Prayer School of Our Lady of Grace, dedicated on August 15, 2020. The Cloistered Monastery of the Order of Preachers of the Mother of God established its presence and moved into Baeron on November 29, 1990. The overlapping transformation—from a Catholic community during the persecution era to a seminary and modern prayer spaces—explains the site’s present-day arrangement within one valley.

Before You Go

Address: 296 Baeronseongjigil, Bongyang-eup, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 27110
Hours: Holy ground access hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Closed: The holy ground’s own closing days have not been confirmed. The Prayer School retreat information indicates that it is closed on Mondays.
Admission: Free
Phone: 043-651-4527
Official site: http://www.baeron.or.kr
Transport: Take Bus 852 between Jecheon (Civic Center) and Baeron Holy Ground. Official times: 08:50–09:20, 13:10–13:40, and 18:50–19:20.
Parking: Information confirms use of the parking lot at the holy ground entrance, but the number of spaces and fees have not been confirmed.
Time needed: About half a day, according to a Korea Tourism Organization article
Accessibility: Listed barrier-free facilities include an accessible restroom, an elevator for visitors with disabilities, designated accessible parking, a step-free main entrance, low-floor bus access, wheelchair rental, convenience services for visitors with visual or hearing impairments, a nursing room, accessible guest rooms, and stroller rental.

The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.

Baeron Holy Ground Hwang Sa-yeong Silk Letter Cave St. Joseph Seminary Father Choi Yang-eop Thomas Catholic holy ground Jecheon

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