Waegogae

About this place

The name Waegogae derives from the fact that a tile office (Waseo, 瓦署), which fired and supplied roof tiles and bricks, once stood here. It is said that the bricks used to build Seoul's Myeongdong Cathedral and Yakhyeon Cathedral in Jungnim-dong were also supplied from this place. This site is a Catholic holy ground of deep historical significance, where saints who were martyred at Saenamteo and Seosomun during the Byeongin Persecution of 1866 were buried. Waegogae Holy Ground is also a place with the history of having enshrined—before their later relocation—the remains of Father Andrew Kim Dae-geon, the first Korean priest, who was martyred during the Byeongo Persecution on September 16, 1846.