How to Visit the Birthplace and Stations of the Cross of Father Kim Dae-geon at Solmoe Shrine in Dangjin
Solmoe Shrine is a historic site in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do, where Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, Korea’s first Catholic priest, was born in 1821. Visitors can explore his birthplace, pine forest, Memorial Church, “Memory and Hope” Grand Basilica, and Stations of the Cross in about 30 minutes to an hour. The route may vary depending on opening hours and Mass times.
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Solmoe, where Kim Dae-geon Andrea was born on August 21, 1821
Solmoe Sanctuary is located at 132 Solmoe-ro, Ugam-myeon, Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do. “Solmoe” means “a mountain covered with pine trees” or “pine trees forming a mountain,” and this is the birthplace of Saint Kim Dae-geon Andrea, Korea’s first Catholic priest.
Father Kim Dae-geon was born on August 21, 1821, in Solmoe, Myeoncheon County, as it was known at the time. His great-grandfather Kim Jin-hu was martyred in 1814, his great-uncle Kim Jong-han in 1816, his father Kim Je-jun in 1839, and Father Kim Dae-geon in 1846, making this a place where the lives of four generations of martyrs are connected. Solmoe Sanctuary is therefore also called the “Bethlehem of Korea.”
From the 1906 sanctification to “Memory and Hope” in 2021
At around age seven, Father Kim Dae-geon moved to Golbaemasil in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, to escape persecution, and began priestly training in Macau in 1836. After being ordained in Shanghai in 1845, he entered Joseon and was martyred by military execution on September 16, 1846. He was declared Venerable on September 24, 1859, Blessed on July 5, 1925, and a Saint on May 6, 1984.
The current sanctuary grounds were not created all at once. In 1906, Father Kremp, pastor of Hapdeok Parish, began purchasing land, and a monument to Blessed Kim Dae-geon was erected in 1945. The Diocese of Daejeon built the Solmoe retreat house in 1982, completed restoration of the inner quarters of his birthplace on September 22, 2004, and completed the memorial hall in October 2005. Solmoe Sanctuary became Historic Site No. 529 in May 2014, and the “Memory and Hope” Grand Basilica was established for the 200th anniversary of his birth in 2021.
Visits begin at 09:00; avoid the separate 11:00 Mass period
Visiting hours are listed as 09:00–18:00 in summer and 09:00–17:00 in winter. Other visitor reviews list hours of 10:00–17:00, year-round opening, and free admission, so it is safest to use the seasonal hours as the basic reference and confirm the accessible areas with the sanctuary’s main number, 041-362-5021, on the day of your visit.
In particular, records from visitors state that access to the Grand Basilica is restricted because Mass is held from 11:00 a.m. to noon. During this period, it is practical to visit the outdoor areas and pine forest first and enter quietly after Mass ends. The official website is http://www.solmoe.or.kr/, and a pilgrimage reservation menu is available.
An itinerary dividing the birthplace, memorial hall, and churches without a ticket booth
Admission is free. According to visitor reviews, a brief visit takes 30–40 minutes, while seeing the birthplace, memorial hall, memorial church, Grand Basilica, pine forest, statue of Father Kim Dae-geon, and Stations of the Cross in order requires about one hour. Solmoe Arena is a circular performance venue that is also used as an outdoor church.
After first viewing Father Kim Dae-geon’s birthplace and statue, move to the memorial church and memorial hall. Finish with the Lee Chun-man Art Museum, Grand Basilica, and special exhibition room in the “Memory and Hope” building to distinguish the character of each facility more easily. The special exhibition room covers the martyrs in Father Kim Dae-geon’s family and the history of Solmoe Sanctuary, while the inner quarters of the birthplace were fully restored on September 22, 2004.
What is easy to miss among the 800-meter Stations of the Cross and the pine forest over 200 years old
The Stations of the Cross are an approximately 800-meter pilgrimage route presenting the Passion of Jesus at 14 stations. Sign-language, subtitle, and audio guidance are provided, along with a Braille-compatible pamphlet and a tactile and audio comprehensive tourism information board. Rather than simply viewing the birthplace and leaving, it is worth setting aside time for this route as a separate course.
The pine grove contains 70–80 pine trees more than 200 years old, and some trees are said to be over 300 years old. Around the arena are statues of the Twelve Apostles created by Choi Young-cheol Paul in 2011, and the memorial church is described as having space for 500 people to attend Mass. The stained glass on both sides of the church depicts nautical charts of Hwangsanpo in Ganggyeong and was created by artist Gam Seong-won in 2010.
Practical access starting from the two parking lots and Dangjin Interchange
When arriving by car, the official tourism route is to take National Route 32 from Dangjin Interchange on the Seohaean Expressway, pass through Hapdeok, and enter Solmoe Sanctuary. There are two parking lots at the sanctuary entrance, and both have accessible parking spaces. Some materials list parking as free, but no official figure for the current parking capacity has been confirmed.
The road-name address is 132 Solmoe-ro, Ugam-myeon, Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do. Since no confirmed information is available about bus route numbers, stop names, or walking times from the train station or bus terminal, international travelers should first plan to travel by taxi or car to Dangjin Interchange or Hapdeok. Visitors who have difficulty traveling can use the Dangjin Transportation Assistance Center for Persons with Mobility Challenges. As of 2026, it operates 24 hours a day, year-round, with 23 special transportation vehicles and 8 voucher taxis. The base fare is 1,400 won for up to 2 km, and the maximum fare is 3,200 won.
Wheelchair routes are possible, but take care on the earthen courtyard and 30–40-meter slopes
There are six accessible parking spaces and six considerate parking spaces. In front of Father Kim Dae-geon’s statue is a gentle ramp with a gradient of 1:25 or less and a paved sidewalk. In the area around the birthplace, there are ochre-concrete pedestrian paths at least 2 meters wide. General and accessible restrooms are available inside and in the parking areas.
However, the restored birthplace has an earthen courtyard, which may become muddy during or after rain. The area around Father Kim Dae-geon’s statue includes uphill or downhill sections of approximately 30–40 meters, so manual wheelchair users may need assistance from a companion. The stage plaza has marked wheelchair seating, and sign-language, subtitle, and audio guidance are provided at the 14 stations.
Pilgrimage etiquette and nearby connections following Pope Francis’s visit
The Sixth Asian Youth Day and the Third Korean Youth Day were held at Solmoe Sanctuary from August 13 to 16, 2014, and Pope Francis also visited in 2014. In commemoration, the Francis Day event has been held annually on August 14–15 since 2015, and the Chapel of Our Lady Undoer of Knots was dedicated on August 14, 2017.
Because the sanctuary is not an ordinary public park, visitors should refrain from drinking, entertainment, and behavior that interferes with prayer. Official guidance also asks visitors to prepare garbage bags so they can take their waste home. At the entrance is a stamp-tour box for the Beognae Pilgrimage Route, and in front of the parking lot is the Local Food Happiness Market selling regional agricultural and seafood products, snacks, and convenience items. The bicycle path from Solmoe Sanctuary to Sapgyoho Lake Park is approximately 12 km, while the Beognae Pilgrimage Route to Sinri Sanctuary is described as approximately 13 km. Around the Grand Basilica are Cafe Solmoe and a Solmoe local food store.
Before You Go
- Address
- 132 Solmoe-ro, Ugam-myeon, Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do
- Hours
- Summer 09:00–18:00; winter 09:00–17:00
- Closed
- Some materials state that it is open year-round, but the current closure information on the official website could not be confirmed.
- Admission
- Free
- Phone
- 041-362-5021
- Official site
- http://www.solmoe.or.kr/
- Transport
- Seohaean Expressway Dangjin Interchange → National Route 32 → Hapdeok → Solmoe Sanctuary
- Parking
- Some materials describe free parking. There are two parking lots at the sanctuary entrance, with six accessible parking spaces and six considerate parking spaces.
- Time needed
- Approximately 30–40 minutes according to reviews; about one hour to see the main facilities in order
- Accessibility
- Six accessible parking spaces and six considerate parking spaces, gentle ramps, pedestrian paths at least 2 meters wide around the birthplace, accessible restrooms, and sign-language, subtitle, and audio guidance at the 14 stations have been confirmed.
The information above is accurate as of the time of writing. Check the official guidance again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
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Hapdeok Irrigation Folk MuseumA local museum exhibiting agricultural culture and traditional irrigation tools -
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Food & Dining 3
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Solmoe Cooperative CafeA cafe within the holy site where you can take a break over coffee or tea -
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Gyeongseong Hanwoo Gukbap Dangjin Hapdeok BranchA restaurant serving hearty meals of Hanwoo beef gukbap and other gukbap dishes. -
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Gohyang RestaurantA restaurant where you can enjoy freshwater shrimp soup and spicy shrimp soup.
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