Gangbuk-gu Opens Cheongja Kiln Site Experience Center

Creation of Cheongja Kiln Site Experience Center within Ui-dong Family Camping Site... Composed of Exhibition Experience Hall and Outdoor Learning Center

Three kiln models resembling traditional kilns installed in the outdoor learning center

Ceramics experience programs conducted including basic, advanced, and one-day experience classes

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) established the Cheongja Kiln Site Experience Center within the Ui-dong Family Camping Site to commemorate the significance of the ‘Suyu-dong Buncheong Ware Kiln Site,’ designated as a Seoul Metropolitan City Monument, and officially opened it on the 11th.

The ‘Suyu-dong Buncheong Ware Kiln Site’ (around Suyu-dong San 127-1) is a cultural heritage site created from the late Goryeo to early Joseon period. The total size of the kiln is approximately 19.8 meters, of which about 9.2 meters have been lost, and 5.6 meters adjacent to the firebox in the firing chamber were found in good condition. During excavation, Buncheong ware using inlay and stamping techniques such as bowls, bottles, jars, and cups were unearthed.

In the academic excavation conducted in 2011, it was proven to be an important site that reveals the transition in ceramic production from inlaid celadon to Buncheong ware in ceramic stylistic history, and economically provides clues to the supply system of ceramics in the Seoul area before the establishment of official kilns (Gwanyo) in the Joseon Dynasty. Consequently, it was designated as a Seoul Metropolitan City cultural asset in March 2014.

To widely promote this cultural heritage value, the district created the kiln site experience center at the Ui-dong Family Camping Site (around Ui-dong San 96), one of Gangbuk-gu’s representative attractions with good accessibility.

Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu (right), and officials from the district council are writing guestbook entries on pottery.

The established Cheongja Kiln Site Experience Center is divided into an exhibition experience hall and an outdoor learning center. The exhibition experience hall, created by purchasing a house, is a two-story building with a total floor area of 154.94㎡. It is decorated with a kiln site model inspired by the Suyu-dong Buncheong Ware Kiln Site and artifacts excavated from the Suyu-dong and Ui-dong kiln site areas.

The outdoor learning center, created in an open space within the camping site, is about 50㎡ in size and can accommodate 20 people. Three kiln models (3m wide, 10m long, 1.4m high) resembling traditional kilns were installed together.

The district plans to operate ceramics experience programs such as one-day experiences and regular courses for basic and advanced classes at the exhibition experience hall and outdoor learning center, to widely inform residents, visiting youth, and tourists about the historical significance and value of Buncheong ware.

About 20 people, including Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, members of the Gangbuk-gu Council, and district officials, attended the opening ceremony of the Cheongja Kiln Site held at 10 a.m. on the 11th. The ceremony proceeded in the order of ▲progress report ▲commemorative speeches and congratulatory remarks by Mayor Lee Soon-hee and Council Chairman Choi Chi-hyo ▲unveiling ceremony and commemorative photo ▲tour of the exhibition experience hall ▲guest ceramic guestbook signing.

Kiln model and learning facilities established at Cheongja Kiln Outdoor Learning Center

At the opening ceremony, Mayor Lee Soon-hee said, “The Cheongja Kiln Site Experience Center is a place where the historically significant Buncheong Ware Kiln Site can be re-examined.” She added, “Also, around the experience center, there are various tourist courses such as Neorang Narang Urirang, Bukhansan Dullegil, Paraspara, and Mountain Culture Hub, so I hope many people come to Gangbuk-gu to heal their weary daily lives.”