Destination briefing
Why travelers stop here
This building, now home to the Seoul Metropolitan Namseoul Museum of Art, was originally used as the Belgian Consulate during the Korean Empire (1897–1910). Designated as Historic Site No. 254, it was completed in 1905 in Hoehyeon-dong and relocated to its current location in Namhyeon-dong in 1983. The two-story structure features a long central corridor with rooms arranged freely on both sides, offering public programs tailored to visitors of various levels.
Registered as a historic site, the former Belgian Consulate in Seoul was built after the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Korea and Belgium in 1901. Construction began in 1903 and was completed in 1905. Originally located at 78 Hoehyeon-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (now the site of the Woori Bank headquarters), it was moved to its current location due to urban redevelopment in 1970. After the Belgian Consulate moved to Chungmuro 1-ga in 1919, the building was used as the Yokohama Life Insurance Company office and later as the Japanese Navy Ministry's attaché residence. After liberation, it was used by the Navy Military Police. In 1970, the Commercial Bank of Korea purchased the building and relocated it to its current site in 1983, using it as a history museum for the Commercial Bank (predecessor of Woori Bank). Since September 2004, it has been used as the Seoul Metropolitan Namseoul Museum of Art. This building is a brick eclectic-style structure with one basement floor and two above-ground floors. It was designed by Japanese architect Kodama. Built with a mix of red brick and granite, the building's exterior is asymmetrical, unlike typical buildings of the time. The two stone pillars in front of the entrance and the long row of stone pillars on the balcony are classical in style. The front windows have a Renaissance atmosphere, and the columns of the verandas on the first and second floors are in the Ionic order.
OTA-ready stop
Built into inbound routes and day-tour planning.
Local context
서울특별시 관악구 남부순환로 2076
Travel fit
Attraction · Seoul




