[Harumanbo] The Origin of Traditional Markets and Cheongra Hill... Daegu Seomun Market Station

[Editor's Note] The subway is not only a transportation method that anyone can easily access and travel safely but also an important point for achieving 10,000 steps a day. We introduce walkable spots around subway stations.

Today's course is Seomun Market Station on Daegu Metro Line 3. The station name originates from the adjacent Seomun Market. The substation name is Dongsan Hospital. Seomun Market is the largest traditional market in Daegu. During the Joseon Dynasty, it was known as one of the three major markets nationwide, along with Pyeongyangjang and Ganggyeongjang. Even now, it is a large-scale traditional market recognized not only in Daegu but across the country. The name Seomun Market comes from its location outside the west gate (Seomun) of Daegu Fortress. Since June 2016, the Seomun Market Night Market has also been operating. It consists of eight districts, including the dried seafood market and Ajin Market, with about 5,522 stores. It is a large market where various products such as silk, textiles, dishes, fresh produce, dried seafood, and seafood are traded.

Interior view of Seomun Market
Photo by Daegu City

Just walking around Seomun Market can help you achieve your daily 10,000 steps. On the opposite side of the station, it is worth visiting Cheongna Hill after passing Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital. This site offers a glimpse into Daegu's modern history and the history of Protestantism and Catholicism. The name Cheongna (靑蘿) comes from the blue ivy covering the walls of missionaries' houses on the hill?'Cheong' (靑) meaning blue and 'Na' (蘿) meaning ivy?thus called "Blue Ivy Hill." Here, old red brick houses are nestled closely together. These brick houses, each showing unique character despite their similarities, are modern cultural heritage buildings over 100 years old. Originally, there were many more houses, but only three remain today. All were built by American missionaries who came to Daegu around the 20th century.

Cheongra Hill Entrance

The Blair House (Daegu Tangible Cultural Property No. 26) was the home of missionary Blair, who arrived in Korea in 1901. Using concrete foundations, which was cutting-edge technology at the time, he built a two-story brick house with a tall chimney. The semi-circular glass window occupying most of the second-floor gable draws attention. A little further away is the Chamniss House (Daegu Tangible Cultural Property No. 25). Missionary Chamniss, Principal Raynor of the school established by the American Northern Presbyterian Church (now Keisung Middle and High School), and Director Moffett of the hospital (now Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center) lived here. The bungalow-style houses popular in Southern California feature a red brick building with a human-shaped (人) roof and a white flat-roofed building, creating a unique atmosphere. This site is popular not only for film and drama shoots but also as a subject for architectural research papers.

Sweetz House on Cheongra Hill

In the Grace Garden below the Chamniss House, the remains of 14 missionaries and their families who lived on Cheongna Hill are interred. The Sweets House (Daegu Tangible Cultural Property No. 24) in the northeast of Grace Garden was home to female missionary Martha Sweets. The red brick building with a tiled roof combines Korean and Western architectural styles.