▲ Solmoe Holy Ground

People have taken renewed interest in a one-day train ride program along the path trodden by Pope Francis during his visit to the country in August 2014.

Said program is operated jointly by the Chungcheongnam-do Provincial Government, Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), and Korea Tourism Organization (KTO).

The travel package program, operated once or twice between Monday and Friday and twice during weekends, accepts up to 40 people per trip.

The course is composed of the following: departure from Yongsan station(Seoul), Seoul - Sillyewon station(Yesan-gun) - transfer to a city bus - Solmoe Holy Ground in Dangjin - Sapgyoho Lake Tourist Site - Haemi Martyrdom Holy Ground - Haemi Martyrs'Shrine Memorial - Haemieupseong Town Wall -  transfer to a train at Sapgyo Station - return to Yongsan station(Seoul).

Solmoe Holy Ground in Dangjin, the first site to visit on the trip, is the place where Pope Francis met with young Asians during his visit to the country in August 15, 2014. It is also the place where Father Kim Dae-gun, the first Korean Catholic priest, was born. It is dubbed the birthplace of Korean Catholicism.

Last month, the work for erecting a bronze statue and building a topiary garden in commemoration of the pope's visit was completed. Here, you can enjoy the Set Menu of Kkeomeokji, which was served as dinner for the visiting pope.

Sapgyoho Lake is the gateway to Dangjin. There, both sea and lake come into view. Ancillary facilities include Hamsang Park, where two decommissioned warships are displayed, circus place, and play facilities. You can also enjoy seafood at a restaurant.

Many people have been paying a visit to Solmoe Holy Ground following the pope's visit there. Why not be one of them and be reminded of his message of peace, hope, and conciliation on a train ride?