Jeondong Cathedral, Roman Catholic cathedral in Jeonju, South Korea
Jeondong Cathedral is a stone and brick structure in Jeonju that blends Romanesque and Byzantine architectural elements with a tall bell tower and Gothic windows spanning three floors. The building uses gray and red bricks set on a granite foundation, creating a solid and upright presence.
A French missionary purchased the land in 1891 and built the cathedral on a site tied to early Catholic martyrs. Construction finished in 1914, marking the beginning of Western religious architecture in this region.
The cathedral sits at the entrance of Jeonju Hanok Village, creating a striking contrast between Western religious architecture and the traditional Korean wooden houses surrounding it. Visitors immediately sense how these two worlds meet and reflect the cultural layers of the city.
The cathedral is accessible daily with opening hours that change with the seasons. Visitors should be prepared for steps, and the interior can be explored easily, while guided tours are available in multiple languages.
The building was the first Romanesque structure in the Honam region, representing a turning point in local architecture. Its blend of European building styles in a Korean context makes it a rare testimony to this cultural encounter.
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