Since ancient times, this area along the Han River served as a ferry crossing and was called Yanghwajin (楊花津), meaning “Willow Flower Ferry.” The prominent peak nearby was said to resemble the head of a silkworm and was thus named Jamdobong (蠶頭峰).
In 1866, following a royal decree to persecute Catholics (the Byeongin Persecution), approximately 8,000 Korean Catholics across the country—including nine French missionaries—were executed between 1866 and 1868 simply for their faith.
When the French fleet, upon hearing of the execution of their missionaries, advanced to Yanghwajin and occupied Ganghwa Island to demand trade—an event known as the French Campaign against Korea (Byeongin Yangyo)—persecution of Catholics intensified. Acting on the orders of Heungseon Daewongun, who sought to “purge the land defiled by foreign intrusion with the blood of Catholics,” those suspected of involvement with the French forces were executed at Yanghwajin. From that time onward, the site came to be called Jeoldusan (切頭山), meaning “Beheading Mountain,” in reference to the executions of Catholics.
The first martyrs at Jeoldusan included Yi Ui-song (Francis), Kim Ippeun (Maria), and the family of Yi Bung-ik (Peter), among approximately 200 Catholics who were martyred here during the Byeongin Persecution.
To honor the spirit of the martyrs and preserve the sacred site, the Korean Catholic Church purchased the area in 1956 and established it as a shrine. On October 21, 1967, marking the 100th anniversary of the Byeongin Persecution, a church and museum were completed. As the only area along the Han River preserved in its original form, this site was designated National Historic Site No. 399 in 1997 (Seoul Yanghwa Ferry and Jamdobong Remains).
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Since ancient times, this area along the Han River served as a ferry crossing and was called Yanghwajin (楊花津), meaning “Willow Flower Ferry.” The prominent peak nearby was said to resemble the head of a silkworm and was thus named Jamdobong (蠶頭峰).
In 1866, following a royal decree to persecute Catholics (the Byeongin Persecution), approximately 8,000 Korean Catholics across the country—including nine French missionaries—were executed between 1866 and 1868 simply for their faith.
When the French fleet, upon hearing of the execution of their missionaries, advanced to Yanghwajin and occupied Ganghwa Island to demand trade—an event known as the French Campaign against Korea (Byeongin Yangyo)—persecution of Catholics intensified. Acting on the orders of Heungseon Daewongun, who sought to “purge the land defiled by foreign intrusion with the blood of Catholics,” those suspected of involvement with the French forces were executed at Yanghwajin. From that time onward, the site came to be called Jeoldusan (切頭山), meaning “Beheading Mountain,” in reference to the executions of Catholics.
The first martyrs at Jeoldusan included Yi Ui-song (Francis), Kim Ippeun (Maria), and the family of Yi Bung-ik (Peter), among approximately 200 Catholics who were martyred here during the Byeongin Persecution.
To honor the spirit of the martyrs and preserve the sacred site, the Korean Catholic Church purchased the area in 1956 and established it as a shrine. On October 21, 1967, marking the 100th anniversary of the Byeongin Persecution, a church and museum were completed. As the only area along the Han River preserved in its original form, this site was designated National Historic Site No. 399 in 1997 (Seoul Yanghwa Ferry and Jamdobong Remains).
More →